§ 57. Mr. Nuttingasked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to encourage demobilised Servicemen, 243W formerly foundry workers, to return to employment in foundries; and what percentage of such Servicemen have in fact returned to this employment.
§ Mr. IsaacsIn December, 1945, special publicity by means of Press and wireless was undertaken to make known the need of the iron founding industry for additional workers, and ironfounding was included in a special advertising campaign which had as one of its objects the return of former workers to essential industries. Demobilised foundry workers who report at employment exchanges are encouraged to go to foundry vacancies which have a high preference in view of their importance. Moreover, the release from the Forces under Class B of some 5,000 former foundry workers has been agreed.
I regret that the information asked for in the latter part of the Question is not available, but it is known that large numbers of such Servicemen are returning to foundry work.