§ 78. Sir CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of National Service whether a number of retired professional and business men and Civil servants in good health and able to undertake clerical and other office work have enrolled themselves for national service, few of whom have been offered any employment; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to employ these men more largely to replace men fit for service or to assist in the conduct of businesses which are crippled by the withdrawal of men for service?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. A number of retired professional and business men and Civil servants have enrolled for national service, and some have been placed in employment. Steps are being taken by the Professional and Business Register of the Ministry of Labour to place men of this type as substitutes for men of military age both in Government Departments and in commercial undertakings. The attention of employers and Government Departments is being repeatedly called to the valuable services which can be rendered by the men enrolled, and there are indications that more will be employed in the near future.
§ Mr. DUNCAN MILLARWill the hon. Gentleman state the number of professional and business men who have been offered employment?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot state the number off-hand.
§ Mr. HOGGEWhen you bring the attention of Government Departments to these men, do you ever get any response or reply?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANSometimes.