Rushden Trades Council will apparently be unable to secure a seat on the local Billeting Tribunal, for at the April meeting it was reported that the Clerk to the U.D.C. had written informing the Council that the Billeting Tribunal was formed according to rules laid down by the Government, and that no changes could be made until someone’s resignation.

The Clerk also stated that the appropriate committee of the U.D.C. did not consider that a British Restaurant was needed in Rushden, but the matter would be raised again. This subject caused a considerable amount of discussion, and it was decided to pursue the matter further.

It was resolved to write to the T.U.C., urging them to do all in their power to get an additional cheese ration for iron ore workers.

Women’s Work

Another decision was to get in touch with the local Ministry of Labour officials with regard to the forming of a sub-committee to deal with the part-time employment of women on munitions and in other essential industries, and also to press for representation on this committee.

The Council spent some time on the question of trainees, and several interesting points were raised, but no resolutions were put forward.

A report was read from Mr. Wheeler, the Council delegate to the Youth Service Committee, and Mr. C. Smith gave a report on the meeting at Leicester of the South Midlands Federation of Trades Councils.

Mr. Smith was elected to attend a lecture at Northampton on “Production,” with a view to forming a Production Committee for the area.

The chair was taken by Mr. R. Welsford, supported by the secretary, Mr. R. Hawes, and a good number of delegates.