§ Mr. Bossomasked the Home Secretary whether any useful purpose is being served by allowing large numbers of building trades operatives to continue their activities at the sites of bombed property after all useful salvage has been taken and the structures have been made safe, when their services are seriously needed in connection with work essential to the war effort?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonLocal and other authorities concerned have been told that structures should be made safe, highways cleared of debris, useful salvage taken, and fire risks and danger to public health removed. Some further clearing up is occasionally required by considerations of morale. In the main the labour employed would not be suitable for transfer to constructional work, but if my hon. Friend is aware of any instances in which he thinks that building trade operatives are being used on work which is unnecessary perhaps he will send me particulars. I would add that in the London region the number of men engaged on debris1692W clearance has been reduced by 63 per cent. from the peak figure at one time employed.