HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc93-4

Motion made, and Question proposed,

"That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £ 1,100,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1941, for the salaries and expenses of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, including sums payable by the Exchequer to the Unemployment Fund, grants to local authorities, associations and other bodies in respect of unemployment insurance, employment exchange and other services; expenses of transfer and resettlement; expenses of training (including, on behalf of the Army Council, training of soldiers); contribution towards the expenses of the International Labour Organisation (League of Nations); expenses of the Industrial Court; expenses in connection with national service; and sundry services."

Mr. Lawson

I should like the Parliamentary Secretary to give us some explanation of this Supplementary Estimate. The Ministry of Labour and National Service have been dealing with the whole range of national service, I have seen something of some of the very good work they have done. In the part of the country from which I come, a good many of our men have had to be transferred.

The Deputy-Chairman

I would point out to the hon. Member that the largest proportion of this Supplementary Esti- mate£ 700,000—is quite automatic as a contribution to the Unemployment Fund. This is not an occasion for going over the whole range of work of the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

Mr. Lawson

The Supplementary Estimate does cover the question of transference.

The Deputy-Chairman

The hon. Member is partly correct there.

Mr. Lawson

I wish to ask the Parliamentary Secretary some questions on the subject of transfers. In a previous speech I paid tribute to the work of the staff of the Ministry in connection with transference. The Ministry itself has, I think, gained a good deal of experience in this work of sending men and women to different parts of the country. But what cannot be understood is the fact that at the end of, say, eight weeks, some of the men will be able to return with a free pass.

The Deputy-Chairman

I am afraid I must point out to the hon. Member that the money which is being voted here relates to transference in respect of local education authorities. Therefore, we cannot discuss on this Vote the action of the Ministry of Labour in regard to the general policy of transference.

Mr. Lawson

Then can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the Committee what this grant is?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Assheton)

The transference referred to is only in respect of schemes of choice of employment in connection with juvenile employment, and the services of local education authorities. The main question of transferred workers comes under the Vote of Credit which we cannot discuss to-day but which we shall be glad to discuss on some suitable occasion.

Question put, and agreed to.

Back to