HC Deb 11 March 1942 vol 378 c1074W
Viscountess Astor

asked the Minister of Labour why it is necessary to wait three months before reviewing the position of young persons in the Potteries working 53 hours a week, in view of the fact that this industry is scheduled as a dangerous trade and is not a vital one at the present time?

Mr. Tomlinson

In the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 19th February to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock (Mr. Lindsay) he explained that he felt bound to make this Order because labour had to be released from the pottery industry for munitions work and he was advised that the necessary pottery output could not otherwise be maintained with the reduced labour force. While he is keeping a close watch on the matter he cannot usefully consider any modification of the Order at present until the circumstances which made it necessary have passed.