§ Major Petoasked the Minister of Labour the average percentage of absenteeism in the chief industries now directly concerned in the war effort; and whether the issue of regulations under the Essential Work Order has had a perceptible effect on improving the position?
§ Mr. BevinThe statistical information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. I expect that the Essential Work Order will have a substantial effect particularly in enabling the circumstances of each case of alleged absenteeism to be thoroughly investigated and the appropriate remedy applied, but the Order has not yet been in operation long enough for sufficient experience to be gained.