§ 14. Mr. KINGasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced in seeking work of national importance by discharged men who have not served over seas, and that in certain cases employers prefer to engage women wherever possible, as women can in no case be called up again for military service; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. BECKI am not aware of the particular difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. I may mention that special arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Labour whereby that Ministry has undertaken that disabled men who have not served overseas and have been discharged in this country are, if they desire it, assisted by the Employment Department to obtain work of national importance. The men are given one month in which to obtain such work, and the local advisory committees, which have been formed by the Ministry of Labour in connection with the Employment Exchanges, are empowered to advise the local recruiting authorities as to whether a further opportunity of obtaining work of national importance, after the expiration of the month, should be given to the men. In administrative practice instructions have been given by the Ministry of National Service that these men are not to be recalled to the Colours until the fullest inquiries have been made as to the efforts made by each man to obtain work of national importance.
§ Mr. HOGGESupposing a man is unable through the Labour Exchange to get work of national importance, will the National Service Department offer him the alternative of that work before they recall him?
§ Mr. BECKAs I say, in practice, if we are satisfied that any man has made genuine endeavours to obtain work of national importance, he will not be called up.
§ Mr. PRINGLEBut will the Department of National Service see that it is not made conditional upon these men that they shall remain in the employment of the particular employer with whom they first engage?