asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, have been transferred from Wales to England, and from England to Wales, by direction of his Ministry?

The number of women transferred from Wales to employment in England after registration under the Registration for Employment Order and the National Service Acts was 1,455 up to 1st June, 1943, from 16th June, 1942, on which date my Department started to keep records in this connection. In the same period 114 women went from England to work in Wales.

In view of the effect of these transfers on the life of Welsh towns, will the right hon. Gentleman see that only voluntary transfers are made in future?

I am afraid I cannot accept that.