WHOLE-TIME DUTY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 173, 18 April 1942, Page 7

WHOLE-TIME DUTY

More War Workers In Britain (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 16. A further step toward the complete mobilization of the manpower and womanpower of the country has been taken by the Home Secretary. Members of the civil defence services at present are permitted to undertake outside work during offduty periods, subject to the requirements of their services.

According to Mr. Morrison’s new plan, about one-third of the total employed whole-time in civil defence will be released for work in the war industries as soon as employment can be found for them. In particular areas the proportion may be higher. As far as possible, release will be granted indefinitely, and where this is not possible personnel will be given temporary work, as required, for periods of not less than d week. In addition, the defence regulations will be amended so that persons released to the war industries will be under the obligation not only to return to whole-time civil defence employment if called on, but also to perform part-time duties in the meantime, if required. These will comprise up to 48 hours monthly in some form of civil defence duty.

Men and women whose-past experience fits them for professional and skilled work in industry will be released first, but those whose . experience is essential for the maintenance of the efficiency of civil defence will be retained.

Those released will be employed under normal industrial conditions, including payment at ordinary industrial rates. For those who cannot be released even temporarily there may be work to be carried out by local authorities on which they might usefully be employed during some of their civil defence duty hours and arrangements are being made accordingly. Similarly, when outside employers require workers for essential work of extreme urgency in a short period, work parties of civil defence personnel may be formed to undertake it at industrial rates of pay. which will not exceed the civil defence rate. The general principles will also be applied to the national fire service.