A Million-Men Switch
The ending of Lend-Lease has made clearer than ever the neces- sity of a speedy transition from war to peace production, and it is going to test this country's capacity for reorganisation to the utmost.
The announcement made a fortnight ago that a million workers are to be released from munitions within eight weeks, and more soon afterwards, has been followed by an official circular addressed to some 45,000 firms whose employees have been on essential work. Most of the factories concerned have been working to full capacity. Now they have to be shut down abruptly, their employees released, and their floor-space cleared as soon as possible of redundant material. The delicate task of explaining the positions to the workers will fall upon the managements, and the machinery of the Ministry of Labour will be severely taxed to guide the released persons to civilian industries ready to receive them ; and it will simul- taneously be handling men demobilised from the forces. The firms whose factories have been on war-work have the equally urgent task of winding it up, preparing their accounts for the Government, disposing of surplus material, and preparing for the new civilian work which they should be undertaking. There are obvious dangers of confusion which it will be the business of Ministries, Regional Officers, and employers to reduce to a minimum. Red tape ought to be cut out as much as possible. Quick decisions will be essential. Every effort has to be made to ease the transition for those who will feel it most acutely—the million displaced workers and the families dependent on them.
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