§ Major Profumoasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the transfer of workmen from small firms of builders to large contractors is ruining the small builder and also, as a result, is wasting the usage of a considerable amount of plant and machinery which lies in small builders' yards; and whether he will reconsider his policy?
§ Mr. BevinLabour is at present being transferred to work of special urgency to the war effort irrespective of the size of the existing or prospective employer. The sole criterion is and must be the relative importance of the work. As to the position of small firms of builders not engaged on work of the highest importance, I would refer the hon. and gallant526W Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Works and Planning, to his Question on this subject. [Official Report, 28th July, columns 346–7, Vol. 382.]