§ 79. Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Pensions Minister whether, having regard to the large number of discharged men recommended for employment in light work only, and the lack of such employment, any consideration has been given to the question of State employment for such men in special factories under proper supervision and conditions?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Wardle)My right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions has asked me to reply to this question, as the responsibility in regard to the employment of disabled men at present vested in the Ministry of Pensions is about to be transfered to the Ministry of Labour. I am hopeful that, as a result of an appeal which is about to be made to all employers in the country, and of the administrative action which will be taken following on that appeal, suitable employment will shortly be secured for a large proportion of the discharged men who are fit for light work only. There must, however, remain a certain proportion for whom employment cannot be found in the ordinary way, and I have just arranged for an analysis to be made of the nature of the disabilities 201 of the men registered for employment in certain districts which have been suggested by the Labour Resettlement Committee. As soon as the result of this analysis is available, careful consideration will be given to any measures necessary to secure that suitable employment is made available for the men referred to.