§ 38. Major NALLasked the Minister of Labour whether the registers of the Appointments Department only contain names 1487 of Service officers and men who have not obtained civilian work, or whether they include civilians who are seeking other employment?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Appointments Department incorporates the professional and business men's register, which was set up in 1915 to deal with offers of service by civilians of the professional classes. The registers of the Department consequently contain the names of civilians of the professional type who seek employment, in addition to those of ex-Service men. The civilian candidates represent, however, less than one-sixth of the total number on the register of applicants for appointments.
§ Major NALLDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it fair to ex-Service men who are not employed that the Department should recommend civilians who are employed?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe ex-Service man as a general rule in every case has a preference as regards appointments.
§ 39. Major NALLasked the Minister of Labour whether the new Secondary School Pupils' Employment Agency, now situated at Howard's Hotel, is a branch of the Appointments Department under another name; what is the estimated annual cost of this new agency; and whether the Board of Education and the London Education Committee are officially co-operating in giving vocational assistance?
§ Sir R. HORNEThis agency is not a branch of the Appointments Department. It is carried on in connection with the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour by the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Sub-committee of the London Juvenile Advisory Committee, which includes members nominated by the London Education Authority, and whose meetings are attended by representatives of the Board of Education. No additional cost for premises is occasioned by this work; the clerical work occupies part of the time of two clerks in the Ministry of Labour.