HC Deb 03 April 1917 vol 92 cc1117-8
33. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle, as representing the Ministry of National Ser vice, whether he is aware that the Restricted Occupations Order is pressing hardly on numbers of workpeople in respect of employment; whether he knows that if a man has not enrolled for service he cannot obtain employment at his own trade, and that if he has enrolled employers are diffident about employing him owing to the fact that he may be taken from them at any moment; whether he is aware that certain trade unions are actually paying unemployment benefit in respect of members who would be employed but for the new Order; and whether any steps can be taken in this matter?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Stephen Walsh)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Restricted Occupations Order is intended to divert unemployed workpeople into work of primary importance, and endeavours have been made, by various means, to prevent undue hardship falling on individuals. The Director-General, however, is aware of difficulties still existing, and the matter is receiving his careful consideration. Any such cases as those to which the hon. Member refers will be inquired into if particulars are forwarded to the Director-General.

Mr. ANDERSON

I can do that, but is it not a remarkable thing that a scheme which is intended to promote the more efficient organisation of labour is actually making it more difficult for many workpeople to get a job at all?