§ Mr. Priceasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that private garages and motor repair shops are being given important work by the Ministry of Supply reconditioning vehicles for war service; that at the same time they are continually losing their working staffs to the fighting services and find it increasingly difficult to 446W carry on; and whether he will look into the whole question of reservation of labour for these trades?
§ Mr. BevinI am aware that the repair of Army and motor vehicles is undertaken at a number of garages for the Ministry of Supply. In addition the Services undertake the repair of a large proportion of their own vehicles and require suitable personnel for this purpose. The age of reservation for the occupations of motor fitter, motor mechanic, and garage hand (mechanic), which is reviewed from time to time, is fixed with a view to a proper distribution of the men in these occupations between the Services and civilian in dustry.