101. Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many employees have been discharged by the Defence Departments from the dockyards 121W and other employment in Malta since VJ-Day; and what plans exist for absorbing such displaced labour.
Mr. Creech JonesBetween VJ-Day and the end of last month 78o men were discharged by the Admiralty and 68 by the Air Ministry, while the number of War Department employees had increased by 147. The net decrease in employment under the Service Departments was, therefore, 701. Unemployment has so far not exceeded a normal transitional figure, now standing at 1.22 per cent. of the adult male working population; and the Governor informs me that in anticipation of future discharges he has in hand a programme of building and road works that should eventually divert a substantial number to employment under the Malta Government.