asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing scarcity of skilled and semi-skilled men and women technicians in certain war factories, he will consider the possibility of an increase of such labour from the West Indies?

In view of shipping difficulties, I should not feel justified at present in embarking on any further schemes for bringing West Indians to this country for training, but applications are, and will be, considered in the case of individual West Indians who already possess the necessary technical skill to enable them to take up skilled employment immediately on their arrival in this country.