HC Deb 11 November 1919 vol 121 c231
48. Mr. GRUNDY

asked the Prime Minister whether he will advise the various Government Departments to refrain from giving any further contracts to firms who have failed to employ a percentage of disabled men, as requested in the Royal Proclamation?

Mr. BONAR LAW

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is at present carefully considering the whole question, with a view, if need be, to submitting proposals to the House in the near future; but it is necessary to give employers a reasonable time to make arrangements for absorbing the requisite percentage of disabled men.

Mr. GRUNDY

Are the Government Departments themselves carrying out the request of the King's Proclamation and employing their percentage of disabled men?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I believe so; they certainly ought to. If my hon. Friend will put down a question to the Minister of Labour, he will get a definite answer.

Mr. BILLING

Will the right hon. Gentleman make the appeal stronger still by firms being allowed to stamp their business paper to that effect; then we should be able to discriminate between those who do and those who do not employ these men?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I believe that is already being done.