HC Deb 14 April 1919 vol 114 cc2500-1
78. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Prime Minister's appeal to employers to find employment for disabled ex-Service men which was published in the Press on 15th March was issued in fulfilment of a promise made by the Minister of Labour in November last to a deputation from the Parliamentary Committee formed in support of the Rothband scheme; and whether the appeal was merely published in the Press or if it was also sent direct to indivdual employers?

Sir R. HORNE

The appeal recently made by the Prime Minister on behalf of disabled ex-Service men was the result of very careful consideration of this question both before and after the November conference to which the hon. Member refers. In addition to being published in the Press the appeal was sent under cover of a special letter to all the employers' federations in the United Kingdom and to the head offices of the trade unions. It has also been distributed to individual employers throughout the country by the local advisory committees, and my right hon. Friends the President of the Local Government Board and the Secretary for Scotland have agreed to bring it prominently to the notice of all the local government bodies in England and Scotland.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

Are we to understand that this appeal has been sent individually to all employers in the country?

Sir R. HORNE

It has been sent to all those whose names we had.

An HON. MEMBER

Was it sent to the various Government Departments as well?

Sir R. HORNE

There is a definite instruction to Government Departments in connection with the employment of disabled soldiers.

79. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Minister of Labour, as proposed under the Rothband scheme which was submitted to the Ministers of Labour and of Pensions, to record in a national roll the names of those employers who respond to the Prime Minister's appeal of the 15th March last by signifying their willingness to find employment for disabled ex-Service men?

Sir R. HORNE

The answer is in the negative. It would be premature to adopt the Rothband scheme or any other scheme of the same kind until employers who are willing to respond to the Prime Minister's appeal have more time for giving practical effect to such willingness.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

In the meantime are any steps being taken to establish a record of the employers who have responded and those who have not?

Sir R. HORNE

I have no doubt we shall learn in regard to that through the ordinary channels of the Department.