Mr. Scott-Elliot:

asked the Minister of Labour how many foreign workers imported from Central Europe have been placed in employment since 1st January, 1947; and how many of these have been placed in textile, agriculture, and hospital services respectively.

Of the 6,330 European volunteer workers placed in employment from 1st January, 1947, to 30th June, 564 were placed in textiles, 2,268 in agriculture and 1,836 in hospital work.

Mr. Scott-Elliot:

Can my right hon. Friend do anything to speed up the placing of these workers in the cotton industry, which needs them so badly?

Yes, Sir, I am doing what I can, but it must be recognised that this is one of the most difficult of all problems. These people have to have some capacity for the work, and must be trained, and a major problem is the making of camps available from which they can get to and from work in a reasonable way.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of those in the textile industry are in spinning and how many in weaving?

Offhand I cannot, but I will gladly get the information and send it to the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many displaced persons wish to work in this country instead of staying in Germany?

Not without notice, but we are bringing over everybody who desires to come here.