§ Mr. Leonardasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many firms anticipating a termination of their work for National Service requirements and with material and capacity available for a gradual resumption of their normal production, are having difficulty in gaining the countenance of their local Exchanges in the submission of persons looking for work; and if he has any policy to meet such circumstances.
§ Mr. BevinIn general all persons becoming available for work are still re- 465W quired for war production or for work essential to maintaining the life of the community. No general permission can therfeore be given at present to the employment of workers merely to enable establishments to resume their normal peacetime production. I have made arrangements, however, in consultation with the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Production and my other colleagues concerned, for any such labour as is not required for war work to be submitted for employment on essential civilian work including work for export.