§ 46. Major BARKERasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the number of discharged men recommended for employment in light work only, and the lack of such employment in the ordinary labour market, he will consider the question of State employment in special factories for such men under medical supervision until fit for normal work?
§ Mr. WARDLEAs I have already informed the House an appeal to employers to engage disabled men is about to be made by the Prime Minister, and I am hopeful that this will result in suitable employment being found for a large proportion of the disabled men who have not yet been placed in employment. It is, I think, undesirable at the moment to consider as to any alternative, and obviously less satisfactory means of securing employment for disabled men until the Government have had an opportunity of measuring definitely and analysing the nature of that part of the problem which will remain unsolved, say, a month or two after the Prime Minister's appeal. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that the whole question will receive further and most careful consideration as soon as it is apparent that disabled men have obtained the maximum amount of benefit which may be expected as the result of the Prime Minister's appeal.