HC Deb 10 August 1920 vol 133 cc215-7
82. Mr. CLYNES

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of men registered as unemployed at the Labour Exchange, Lancaster, at the present time; what number of the men so registered are ex-service men and disabled ex-service men; whether he recently received a deputation from the Lancaster branch of the Discharged Sailors' and Soldiers' Association to discuss, amongst other things, the proposal of usefully employing ex-service men, and particularly disabled ex-service men, at the National Projectile Factory, Lancaster; whether he has informed the secretary of this association that seven disabled ex-service men who have recently been given notice to cease work at this factory have only been suspended temporarily; whether he is aware that they were given notices of dismissal; whether he will take steps to secure that these notices are modified in accordance with his statement: and whether he proposes to take any action to further the proposal made by this association for the provision of work for unemployed ex-service men?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)

The number of men registered at the Lancaster Employment Exchange as at 23rd July was 460, including 281 ex-service men, of whom 99 were disabled. On 1st June the Minister of Labour received the deputation to which my right hon. Friend refers, and later the information which had been received from the Department responsible was conveyed to the secretary of the association. This was to the effect that seven disabled ex-service men who had been given notice to cease work had only been suspended temporarily, and that they would be re-started at the first opportunity. I have since been informed (although I have not yet been able to verify the information) that the document handed to each of the men was a notice simply to the effect that his services would not be required after a certain date. I am, however, in further communication with the Department responsible. As regards the last part of the question, the whole problem of unemployment is at present receiving the most careful attention of the Government. In the meantime my Department, with the assistance of its local employment committee, is continuing to do everything possible to minimise unemployment amongst ex-service men.