asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, owing to shortage of staffs, laundries in the coastal areas of West Sussex are having to refuse their services to returning residents, hotels and customers catering for holiday crowds; and if he will take steps urgently to relieve this situation.

I am aware of the existing shortage of staff at laundries in Sussex and in other parts of the country. My Department has been for some time, and still is, taking such steps as are practicable to relieve the situation but, as my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, there is still a serious over-all man-power shortage. A special publicity campaign is about to be launched with a view to securing the return of former employees to a number of important occupations, including those in laundries, in which there is a persistent labour shortage, and I hope that this will assist to remove the difficulties.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it has been possible to increase the labour force available to laundries in these areas since the removal of the ban and the consequent return of population?

We have not been able to do all we would desire in the neighbourhood to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I will look at the figures and statistics of laundries in the area, and we will do everything possible to help.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the position has already reached a stage in which hotels in London are refusing to accept guests unless they bring their own linen?

Can we be assured that laundries will be available to wash dirty linen during the coming Election?