§ 67. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether all men now called up for service who are not classified as fit for general service and who exercise their option of being placed in the Reserve are required to place themselves at the disposal of the nearest Labour Exchange with a view to obtaining work of national importance; and whether, in view of the fact that the Labour Exchanges will control the allocation of the man-power of the country that is of military age, what steps is he taking to increase the efficiency of their personnel, and will this personnel consist entirely of men not fit for general service?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Prety-man)I presume the reference is to men who enrol themselves as Army Reserve Munition Workers. Men so enrolled place themselves at the disposal of the Minister of Munitions, with whom, therefore, the decision with regard to their allocation will rest. I have already informed the hon. and gallant Member on 1402 9th November that it is not correct to say that the Employment Exchanges will control the allocation of the man-power of the country. All possible steps are being taken to strengthen and increase the-efficiency of the Exchanges, and at the-same time, so far as is consistent with this-object, to release staff for military service.
§ Major NEWMANIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that at the present moment the Labour Exchange clerk has assigned to him the duty of saying whether the man who applies to him to be enrolled in munition work is fit to be enrolled or shall be turned over to the Army?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI think he can only recommend to the Munitions Department; the final decision rests with them.
§ 71. Major NEWMANasked whether, to-meet the organisation of man-power outside of military requirements that is to be made by Germany, the Government have-in contemplation any form of national service for the production of munitions, the supply of Home-grown food, and the maintenance of the import and export trade of the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The best means of utilising the man-power in the country for both military and civil purposes is carefully considered by His-Majesty's Government and fresh steps are taken as required. The Labour Adviser is in consultation with representatives of the trade unions on the subject as regards-industrial labour, and other aspects of the question are being dealt with by the competent authorities.
§ Commander WEDGWOODShall we-have any opportunity of discussing this question in the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDoes not the Prime Minister remember the speech, in which he stated that he sympathised with the idea of the whole of the manpower of the country being organised?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes. I am still of that opinion.