asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that employers of labour in the secondary industries who are required to take their former employees back on demobilisation will not be able to give them work owing to lack of materials; and what steps is he taking to meet this position.

The question of the supply of materials to industry is not a matter for me. In cases where lack of materials temporarily prevents an employer from reinstating an ex-Service man, the man's rights can be kept alive, if he so wishes, by periodical renewals. In the meantime my Department will do all in its power to help the man to obtain suitable alternative employment.