HC Deb 27 April 1917 vol 92 cc2726-7
3 Mr. WING

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware that a number of the leading employers in all parts of the country have put on record their approval of Mr. Roth-band's scheme for the formation of a national roll of employers willing to find employment for partially disabled men, and from many leading men interested in the wefare of the disabled; what steps he proposes to take to form such a roll; (2) whether he is aware that there is uneasiness in many parts of the country with regard to the provision of employment for partially disabled men, especially since the announcement made recently that there were 2,500 men seeking employment and unable to obtain it; will he consider the advisability of providing for these men by the adoption of a national scheme to enlist the assistance of employers throughout the country on the lines of the proposals drafted by Mr. Rothband; and (3) whether he has received from the Manchester War Pensions Committee a resolution recommending that Mr. Henry L. Rothband's proposals for finding employment for disabled men by a national scheme should receive the attention of the Government; whether he has received similar resolutions, expressing approval of Mr. Rothband's proposals, from the local pensions committees of other places, including Blackpool, Bootle, Stockton-on-Tees, Gillingham, Middleton (Lancashire), Warrington, and Accrington; and, if so, what action he proposes' to take?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)

I should explain that the number 2,500 referred to in the hon. Member's question does not in any way represent the number of disabled men who are unable to obtain employment. It is approximately the number of disabled men registered at any one time at the Employment Exchanges as desiring employment, and most of the men obtain work with very little delay. I am not satisfied that there is a general desire among employers for the adoption at the present time of the particular scheme referred to by the hon. Member. The arrangements already made providing for co-operation in this work between the Employment Exchanges and the local war pensions committees and other bodies, such as the Young Men's Christian Association, and the establishment of special bodies such as the wages boards for disabled soldiers, would appear to be fully adequate for the purpose at present. Further arrangements regarding post-war conditions are under the consideration of His Majesty's Government. The resolutions to which the hon. Member refers have been received by the Minister of Labour, and are receiving his attention.

Mr. HOGGE

Is the hon. Member aware that discharged soldiers who are now being employed by patriotic employers, are being called upon to give up their work and teach it to girls, so that they may be brought up under the Review of Exceptions Act?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am not aware of that, but if the hon. Member will give me a little more information I will have it inquired into.