HC Deb 22 March 1917 vol 91 cc2044-6
31. Mr. MacVEAGH

asked whether employers have been asked to make returns showing the number of men and women required by each firm and the wages offered; and, if so, whether he can state the total required in each trade?

Mr. BECK

No such return has been required by the National Service Depart- ment, but firms asking for the services of National Service volunteers have been asked to supply the necessary information to enable the Employment Exchanges to allocate men to them.

Mr. MacVEAGH

If you do not ask how many they employ how are you going to find out the number which have volunteered?

Mr. BECK

I am sorry that I have not the information. I am only now answering temporarily for the Department, and until the Bill has passed through Parliament there is no Minister to answer these questions.

Mr. HOGGE

Would it not be possible to have the Minister here so as to give us a chance?

Mr. MacVEAGH

No, he is a wise man, and he stays away.

32. Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the right hon. Member for Barnard Castle whether he can state the total number of volunteers up to date under National Service; how many are women; and how many of the men are already engaged on Government work or in firms arrying out Government contracts or in essential trades?

Mr. BECK

The total number of volunteers enrolled, including war munition volunteers, up to Tuesday last was 157,323. None of these are women. It is calculated that nearly one-half of the volunteers may be in Government employment or engaged in industries of primary importance.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Does that mean that, after all, the colossal money spent on advertising has only resulted in discovering some 30,000 people who are not already on Government work?

Mr. BECK

I am afraid I cannot tell the hon. Member more than the answer I have read.

Mr. BILLING

Is the Director-General satisfied with the result?

Mr. BECK

I should think that, as a great campaign is being run, that the Director-General is not satisfied with the result.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Are we to understand that 70,000 names have been received wanting employment, and only 3,000 have been sent forward?

Mr. BECK

No, I do not think that is so.

Mr. SPEAKER

I think these questions are rather unfair, because the hon. Member is not responsible for this Department.

Mr. MacVEAGH

He ought to be here.

33. Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

asked whether the appeal made to women to enrol under the National Service scheme is to be limited to women not already engaged in work of national importance whose services are required for specific work which they will be at once asked to. undertake?

Mr. BECK

Where a woman is so employed as to be giving her best services to-the State it is undesirable that she should enrol, as there is not the same shortage of female as of male labour; and it is only proposed to enrol women for the special purposes for which they are required.

Mr. MILLAR

Does that apply to males as well?

Mr. BECK

I really cannot answer these questions. Until the Bill setting up the Ministry of National Service is through both Houses of Parliament it is impossible for the Minister to be here, and as soon as that is done there will be a Minister here.

Mr. KEATING

In view of the inconvenience caused, will the hon. Gentleman convey to the Minister concerned the wish of the House that he should be here?