HC Deb 02 July 1917 vol 95 cc749-50
49. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Prime Minister if he will say, in view of the fact that the National Service Department has not supplied any substitutes for munition workers, what work of national importance, outside the women's section, the Department of National Service is doing?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of NATIONAL SERVICE (Mr. Cecil Beck)

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply. The Department has set up an organisation covering the whole of Great Britain for the purposes of supplying substitutes to take the places of men who may be withdrawn for military service from essential industries, and for the reinforcement of the supply of labour to such industries, including agriculture. Approximately, 350,000 volunteers have been enrolled apart from the substitutes which are being provided for by Trade and National service committees. The duty of the National Service Department is to meet and not create demands for labour; and it is a fact that the supply of men at the disposal of the Department is, and always has been, greatly in excess of the demand.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the Director of National Service did not make an appeal for men to go to munition works to take the place of men of military age now employed in munition works, and will he say how many volunteers have been employed?

Mr. BECK

I think the facts are known to the House. All I say in this answer to my hon. Friend is that the Ministry of National Service is a supply Department, and has nothing to do with demands.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Why has it not supplied these men to the munition factories when it said it would?

Mr. BECK

Because it has not been asked for them.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Was not munition employment set out on the enrolment paper? If it is a fact that no volunteers have been placed in munition factories, the whole thing is a fraud.

Mr. BECK

There are volunteers available, but so far there has not been the demand for volunteers that was expected.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is arguing, and not asking questions.