§ 38. Mr. WINGasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the increasing difficulty of finding employment for disabled men, as testified by the reports of local pensions committees and by the support given by those committees to the Rothband scheme for the formation of a nation roll of employers willing to employ disabled men; and whether he will consider if the time has arrived for a mobilisation of employers willing to guarantee employment to a certain number of disabled men, apart from, or in addition to, those of their own employes who were promised reinstatement when they joined the Colours?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware that increased difficulty in finding employment for disabled men is being experienced to any substantial extent. The proposal to form a national roll of employers willing to employ disabled men is not free from difficulty, and has, I understand, been 1345 under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, with whom the Minister of Labour proposes to confer on the subject.
§ Mr. WINGIs it not a fact that the number of such soldiers who are unable to find employment is increasing?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy information is that if they are increasing at all it is to a very limited extent.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it not a fact that various pensions committees are in a difficulty in dealing with this matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThere is always a certain amount of difficulty in dealing with matters like that, but my information is that it is not increasing to any great extent.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it a fact that the only provision for the employment of discharged and disabled men is through the Labour Exchanges, which are not finding them any work?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not know about the first part of the question, but the statement contained in the second part of the question is not correct.