asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the present high rate of unemployment in the ship-painting industry; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with it?

On 1st April the number of ships' painters in Great Britain registered as wholly unemployed was 196. This figure represents a decrease of 240 since the end of January, 1940. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 4th April.