§ 68. Mr. NEEDHAMasked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle whether he is aware of the blow to the employment of disabled soldiers caused by the recent Order relating to restricted occupations; and whether a modification of the Order will be made to enable such soldiers being employed in these restricted trades until some effective alternatives are provided?
§ Mr. BECKA statement was published officially in the Press under date 3rd March, 1917, that the Director-General of National Service had decided that the Order relating to restricted trades should not be enforced in respect of any sailor or soldier who had been discharged, from the naval or military services of the Crown in consequence of disablement or ill-health.
§ 70. Sir C. HOBHOUSEasked whether the attention of the Director-General of National Service has been drawn to the effect which the restriction of trade orders will have upon printing and binding factories who already are engaged upon half-completed contracts and are in possession of considerable stocks of paper; whether he is aware that unless permits are granted to such factories to complete orders in hand the work already carried out by them will be entirely wasted, and the firms themselves placed in a position of financial danger; and will he say what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. BECKThe Restricted Occupations Order only provides that certain trades shall not take or transfer into employment, whether to fill a vacancy or otherwise, any man who has attained the age of eighteen, or has not attained the age of sixty-one, 719 whether the man has previously been so employed or not. That provision is not expected to interfere with the completion of contracts which normally would not require the engagement of additional staff, Further power is given under the Order for the Director-General to allow men to be taken or transferred into employment on the ground that the employment is expedient for executing a Government contract, or on the ground that the work on which the men are to be employed is of national importance. The Director-General is always prepared to consider and deal with any case of hardship when the particulars are placed before him, and he has made temporary arrangements for permits to be issued by the managers of Employment Exchanges in such cases, under certain conditions.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the hon. Gentleman explain how any man employed in any of these trades can obtain an increase of wages if by the Order he is prevented from obtaining any alternative employment?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not quite obvious?
§ Sir C. HOBHOUSEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that power to restrict employment in those trades is to be conferred on the managers of Employment Exchanges?