the waste that would be engendered by the sudden cessation of the manufacture of expensive articles nearly completed.
With regard to the disposal of stores, the Surplus Stores Depart- ment of the Ministry of Munitions had been proceeding for some time with the day-to-day disposal of obsolete munitions, scrap, sur- plus machinery and other movable property no longer required by the Ministry. Owing to the enormous field covered by the Ministry this was a considerable operation, but one almost negligible as com- pared with the gigantic business which would have to be undertaken in respect of the accumulation of war stores on the cessation of hostilities. It was pointed out that large quantities of materials had been delivered to contractors to enable them to carry out their contracts, and plant and machinery had in many cases been installed in the works of manufacturers on terms which formed part of the contracts themselves. The Ministry of Munitions were made respon- sible for the disposal of these stores, and it was at that time con- sidered not improbable that on the completion of this work the Ministry of Munitions would be converted into a permanent Minis- try of Supply combining in itself the supply departments of the Admiralty, War Office, Air Force and even of the Stationery Office, and Office of Works.
The question of the post-war use of national factories was dis- cussed as one of general policy. In labour quarters the view was strongly held that these factories should be put into commission immediately upon the cessation of hostilities to provide employment during the transition period, and thereafter should be operated by the Government in competition with private enterprise. These proposals were rejected. In the first place it was pointed out that for the immediate period of transition the factories would be use- less. To convert a shell-producing factory into a factory for com- mercial purposes would take anywhere from six months to a year, and at the end of the year it was hoped that the worst period of dis- location would be over. Apart from this, on general grounds, it was felt that the Government by entering into competition with the private trader would to a great extent decrease rather than increase employment. The Minister of Munitions was therefore authorized to make arrangements for the disposal of national factories.
In fact, all the national factories, with the exception of a small number retained in connexion with the work of the Training Depart- ment to the Ministry of Labour, were disposed of. In addition to the cessation of contracts the Government's obligation in respect of placing further contracts in regard to peace requirements was also considered. It had long been maintained by labour opinion that the placing of Government contracts with special regard to possible unemployment would to a certain extent help to reduce unemploy- ment. When, however, the volume of peace-time contracts is com- pared with the general volume of trade, it becomes apparent that the most careful placing of such contracts can do little to mitigate a situation in which unemployment is really serious. While this is so, in so far as Government contracts and contracts placed by public bodies can alleviate the situation, it was recommended that Govern- ment departments and public or semi-public bodies should be urged to place contracts for their peace requirements at the earliest possible moment. In point of fact this recommendation failed of its effect because public bodies (like private employers), being utterly unable to foresee the course of prices during the transition period, were not disposed to run the grave financial risks involved.
Proposals were further made with a view to the development of industry immediately upon the cessation of hostilities. These proposals took two forms: (a) proposals for obtaining new markets and the materials necessary for post-war manufacture, and (b) the actual development of the various industries.
Under the first head it was contemplated that the reconstruction of the devastated areas of Belgium and France would necessarily bring large orders to the British manufacturers. It was accordingly proposed that an International Commission should be appointed to investigate the question of reconstructional work in the devastated areas of Belgium and northern France and to prepare schedules of contracts. Proposals were further made with a view to stimulating those industries, such as dyes and glass, which had during the war taken over processes previously carried on by the Germans.
With regard to materials, the early history of munitions supply had indicated that in the handling of raw materials lay the key to the control of industry. Metal and ore during the war had been con- trolled by the Priority Department of the Ministry of Munitions, wool and textiles (except cotton) by the War Office, and cotton by the Board of Trade. Two steps were taken to apply similar prin- ciples to the period of reconstruction. In the first place a Priorities Committee of Cabinet Ministers was set up as the ultimate authority for the allocation of raw materials. In the second a standing council was established consisting of leading representatives of commerce, industry, labour and the departments concerned to advise the Cabinet Committee. Ancillary to these bodies control departments for building were established under the general direction of the Ministry of Reconstruction. Under these general authorities special committees were set up for various trades to consider the nature and amount of supplies of materials and foodstuffs which, in their opinion, would be required by the United Kingdom during the period which might elapse between the termination of the World War and the restoration of a normal condition of trade
With regard to the development of industry, the future of engi- neering, agriculture and electric power were held to be the burning problems of the moment. So far as the employment of women was concerned attention was directed to their rights as competitors with men and the means by which they could be encouraged to revert to domestic service.
Engineering. The first engineering committee was appointed by the Board of Trade under the chairmanship of Sir Clarendon Hyde and made certain recommendations dealing with essential indus- tries, the amalgamation and joint working of existing firms, appren- tices, technical education, trade combination, trade marks and patents. In particular it recommended that "every effort should be made to develop and encourage the medium and light engineering trades, whether already existing in this country or not, thereby making use of the workshop motive power and equipment installed for war purposes, and finding suitable employment for the large body of semi-skilled and female labour recently created."
This last recommendation was accepted by the Government, and the Minister of Reconstruction appointed a further committee, known as the Engineering Trades (New Industries) Committee, under the chairmanship of the Hon. H. D. McLaren:
" To compile a list of the articles suitable for manufacture by those with engineering trade experience or plant, which were either not made in the United Kingdom before the war, but were imported, or were made in the United Kingdom in small or insufficient quanti- ties and for which there is likely to be a considerable demand after the war, classified as to whether they are capable of being made by (i) women, (2) men and women, (3) skilled men, and setting out the industries to which such new manufactures would most suitably be attached ; and to make recommendations
" (a) On the establishment and development of such industries by the transfer of labour, machines and otherwise;
" (b) As to how such a transfer could be made, and what organiza- tion would be requisite for the purpose, with due regard to securing the cooperation of labour."
This committee appointed sub-committees to deal with the various branches of engineering. 1
Agriculture. So far as agriculture was concerned, in 1915 the Prime Minister appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Lord Selborne. Their first report resulted in the setting up of the Agricultural Wages Boards which have regulated the wages of agricultural workers. The final report, presented in Jan. igiS, 2 dealt with the problems of small holdings, land reclamation and drainage, credit facilities for land settlers, village reconstruction, and rural transport.
Electric Power. Two committees were set up to deal with electric power supply. The first, appointed by the Board of Trade, under the chairmanship of Sir Archibald Williamson reported: 3 (a) that a highly important element in reducing manufacturing costs will be the general extension of the use of electric power supplied at the lowest possible price ; (b) that the present system under which a supply of electricity is provided in a large number of small areas by separate authorities is incompatible with anything that can now be accepted as a technically sound system ; (c) that a comprehensive system for the generation of electricity, and, where necessary, reorganizing its supply, should be established as soon as possible.
The problem was further considered by the committee of chairmen on electric power supply. 4 They reported (a) that the development of electricity should take place on a national scale and under the control of the State ; (b) that an Electricity Board should be set up to advise upon and control the carrying out of the national scheme, assisted by an operating executive; and (c) that the first duty of the Board would be to plan out a comprehensive scheme for the whole country, and then by degrees to secure the development of electrical power over the whole of the United Kingdom by such methods as they might find suitable to the requirements of different areas.
In this way the committee of chairmen reduced the general prin- ciples enunciated by Sir Archibald Williamson's committee to practical proposals, though proposals still on a universal scale. The electricity commissioners under the Ministry of Transport were the tangible result of these recommendations.
(B.) IMMEDIATE POST-ARMISTICE PERIOD On Nov. n 1918 the Ministry of Munitions issued to con- tractors, sub-contractors and workpeople engaged on work for the Department, a notice indicating the line of action to be followed. The instruction proceeded on the following lines:
1. There should, as far as possible, be no immediate general dis- charge of munition workers.
2. All workers, however, who desire to withdraw from industry or to leave for any reason, and all workers who can be absorbed else- where, should at once be released. Production on contracts for guns
1 Engineering Trades (New Industries) Committee Report (Cd. 9,226).
2 Agricultural Policy Sub-Committee Report (Cd. 9,079). Cd. 9,062.
4 Cd. 93.
