§ 4. Mr. HOGGEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether any use has yet been made of any of the information received by the National Register and, if so, what?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Long)The results of the National Register are not yet 39 complete, but information from the returns with regard to men of military age and to those engaged in certain industries is already being extracted and supplied to the Government Departments concerned. I may refer the hon. Member to the announcement recently made in the Press.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say why the first use of the National Register is the use of what is popularly known as the "pink form"?
§ Mr. LONGI do not quite accept the suggestion as to the first use. Obviously the first duty of the Government is to see that the best amount of information available should be provided in regard to the men who are required either for the Army, the services of the country, or for the vaious industries which are of vital importance.
§ 6. Mr. PRINGLEasked the President of the Local Government Board how many voluntary workers have been employed in England and Wales in compiling the National Register, and in what capacity?
§ Mr. LONGI have not yet received full particulars, but the information which has reached me shows that the number of voluntary workers has been very large, and that they have been engaged, not only in the distribution and collection of registration forms, but in the various clerical processes required in the compilation of the registers.
I should like to take this opportunity of expressing on behalf of the Government their appreciation of the patriotic spirit displayed by so large a section of the community.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether these voluntary workers get any remuneration at all and, if not, whether they get out-of-pocket expenses?
§ Mr. LONGI think the hon. Gentleman has answered his own question. Voluntary workers are not paid. As far as out-of-pocket expenses go, I am not aware that any claims have been made. That is the first I have heard of it. In the vast majority of cases the work has been done spontaneously by the workers, without any charge being made upon Imperial or local funds.
§ 7. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Secretary for Scotland how many voluntary workers 40 have been employed in Scotland in compiling the National Register, and in what capacity?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)I am not aware of the exact figures, and do not feel justified in asking for a return from the large number of local authorities concerned who are still engaged on the Register, but I am glad to have the opportunity of acknowledging the generous response made in Scotland to the call for voluntary workers. The Scottish school teachers, in particular, rendered valuable assistance.