§ 27. Mr. SUGDENasked the Minister of Labour what numbers of demobilized 1201 officers (military, naval, and aerial), disabled and undisabled, and of demobilised men (military, naval, and aerial), disabled and undisabled, are still unemployed; and if he is willing to summon conferences in each county of employers and employés to consider their, position and to proffer practical means to remedy the position?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn 16th April the number of unemployed demobilised officers on the Live Register of the Appointments Department was 6,229, and the number of unemployed ex-service men, 7,260. The proportion of these ex-officers and men who were disabled cannot be stated. The number of unemployed ex-service men on the live registers of the Employment Exchanges was 217,614, of whom about 21,700 were disabled. I may say that the Appointments Department has the assistance of a very large number of professional and business men, organised in District Selective Committees and Interviewing Boards, who not only assist individual ex-service officers and men to obtain appointments, but also advise and assist the Ministry in dealing with the general problems arising out of re-settlement. Joint Committees representing employers and employed also already exist in connection with every Employment Exchange throughout the country. These Committees already give particular attention to the cases of ex-service men, and are being asked to make a special effort in the next few weeks in order to secure the re-employment of these men to the fullest possible extent. I am, naturally, watching this question of the absorption of ex-service officers and men in industry with the closest care and will certainly bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhat proportion of these 280,000 are skilled and what proportion are unskilled?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI could not say that offhand.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of advertising in the respective districts the trades these men are suitable for, especially the suitability of unskilled men from the building trade?
§ 28. Captain B0WYERasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the delay in, and of the inadequacy of, the present arrangements for the training of disabled men; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware that the facilities for the training of disabled men are at present insufficient. Considerable progress has, however, been made in the last few months, and the number of such men in training on 18th April was approximately 21,000, of whom over 8,000 commenced their training during the present year. The number of Instructional Factories has now been increased to 57, as compared with 31 on 1st January, and when the equipment of these factories is completed a further 16,000 trainees will be provided for. I hope that the efforts that are being made will enable waiting lists to be materially reduced in the near future, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the question of the training of disabled men is receiving the close personal attention of the Parliamentary Secretary and myself. I should like to say, if I may be allowed, that I will gladly arrange for any hon. Members who may so desire to visit one of these centres. I am sure they will be greatly struck, as I have been, with the keenness of the men and the avidity with which they lay hold of the first-class instruction offered them.
§ Captain BOWYERWill the right hon. Gentleman do anything to decrease the delay which occurs in the correspondence when one of these cases applies?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, I am afraid there has been delay. All that can be done to expedite matters will be done.
§ Viscount CURZ0NAre any of these men being trained in engineering trades, and, if so, is there any modification in the attitude of the Society of Engineers towards the employment of disabled soldiers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will go to Twickenham and see the engineering school there he will find a complete answer to his question. They are being trained there. As to the latter part of his question, I have no further information on the point. Perhaps he will put a question down.
§ Mr. MILLSIs it not a fact that the factories all over the country are being worked amicably and are staffed entirely by the Amalgamated Society of Engineers who are training these men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn connection with Twickenham I found the instructors there to whom I spoke were members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers instructing the men most admirably in their work.
§ Mr. KILEYCan my right hon. Friend assure the House that when the men are fully instructed there is any prospect of their obtaining employment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said in answer to No. 27 I am naturally watching this question of the absorption of the men in the industry with the closest care and will certainly adopt the best suggestions to that end which my hon. Friend puts in his question.
§ Mr. MILLSWill the right hon. Gentleman get into touch immediately with the Ministry of Munitions having regard to the promise made to introduce the cable industry into Woolwich and the possibilities it opens up there of the employment of ex-soldiers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am obliged to the hon. Member for suggesting any means of absorbing ex-soldiers. We are all obliged to him for the suggestion. Whether his proposal is practicable I do not know, but I will make it my business at once to take up the suggestion he makes with the Ministry of Munitions.