§ 40. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Prime Minister on whose initiative the Employment Exchanges were brought into cooperation with National Service; whether 1121 a scheme was given to Mr. Neville Chamberlain which he was expected to carry into effect; if so, at whose instance; and whether, in view of the failure of the scheme, a free hand will now be given to Mr. Chamberlain in order that the future arrangements may be conducted on business and common-sense lines and that the voluntary scheme may be given a fair chance?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe necessity for securing the co-operation of the Employment Exchanges was recognised at the outset by the Director-General of National Service and was sought and obtained by him on his own initiative. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the question, the Government are fully impressed with the necessity for giving a fair chance to the scheme of National Service on a voluntary basis. I cannot agree that the present scheme is a failure, and I may mention that the Government are giving the most anxious consideration to the best methods of removing the difficulties that must inevitably be encountered in a matter of such complexity and importance.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIs it not the fact that more than one-half of the volunteer offers received come from men already engaged in Government work or essential trades; that of the 60,000, only 3,000 names were sent to the Labour Exchanges, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether oven one man has yet obtained an appointment in connection with National Service?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is obvious that I cannot answer without notice for the details of trades.
§ Sir C. WARNERHas anything been done to improve the existing scheme, so as to get some better results out of National Service?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer I have just read shows that steps are being taken to make the best possible use of the material.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMay I inquire whether in fact the super-Cabinet has appointed a Sub-Committee to look into this question; and seeing that an announcement has been made in the newspapers about it, may not we in the House of Commons now have some announcement on the subject?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI was not aware that any announcement had been made in the newspapers.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt may be so—I did not see it. But that does not affect my answer that this question is being looked into by the Cabinet, and that a small Committee has been asked to do it.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a Defence of the Realm Regulation against publication?
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as the workpeople are concerned, this present scheme is really a complete failure; that the workpeople are not going to enrol under the scheme, and that a much better scheme will have to be forthcoming—although they are perfectly willing to help in the work of the nation?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not aware of it. I hope that if changes are necessary to secure their co-operation they will be made.