§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the evidence submitted in the 29th Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure showing the loss of thousands of man hours every week throughout the country in some firms to percentages as high as 10 or 12 per cent, and in certain firms to as high as 20 per cent.; and can he give the corresponding figures for the last six months or for a similar convenient period?
§ Mr. BevinI have of course read this Report, which refers to figures supplied to the Committee by certain firms. There are no corresponding figures in my possession, but, as was stated in the reply to the; hon. and gallant Member for West Derby (Major Maxwell Fyfe) on 24th June, I am obtaining particulars of cases of absenteeism reported in undertakings scheduled under the Essential Work Orders.