§ 43. Mr. SUGDENasked the Minister of Labour if all unemployed sailors, soldiers, and airmen have now been dealt with by having had suitable employment offered to them; if he will state the numbers of these men who have not been able to accept such offers by reason of the un-suitability of employment offered, considering either their lack of training, physical incapacity, or labour regulations; and what steps he proposes to take to enable all such fighting men to overcome these various handicaps and obtain employment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI certainly could not say that all unemployed ex-service men have been dealt with by having suitable employment offered to them, though I can say that no effort has been spared by the Employment Exchanges to find suitable employment. And in that endeavour my hon. Friend will realise that our difficulties have been greatly increased by the recent fall in the employment barometer. As regards disabled men, my hon. Friend is familiar with our training system for disabled men. And as regards the case of the men whose disabilities are of such a character as to make it extremely unlikely that they can ever effectively compete in the industrial market, I appointed on 22nd September an Inter-Departmental Committee, including representatives of the Ministry of Pensions and of the Ministry of Labour to consider the cases of these men and report to me as to whether it may be necessary for us to make further provision in their behalf.
§ Mr. SUGDENAre there any powers with which this House can endow the right hon. Gentleman that he requires in order to enable him to deal effectively with this problem?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards these disabled men I shall in due course receive the report to which I have referred and it will be considered, and then I shall make the necessary representations to the Government.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when the Departmental Committee will report on this very urgent matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Parliamentary Secretary, to whom I am greatly indebted in regard to this question, has promised to report, if possible, before the close of the year.
§ Sir W. DAVISONI wish to ask whether the negotiations with the building trade unions are yet complete, in order that these 50,000 men can be employed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe are awaiting the Government decision as to the proposals which we may or may not put to the building trade. Until that decision is taken the whole thing is marking time. No arrangements can be made with the building trade at the moment until the decision of the Government has been arrived at. I hope that decision will be taken at an early date and then proposals will be put to the trade, and I hope they will help us by coming to a decision one way or the other.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on this question the Government have been marking time for 16 months since July, 1919, and is it not high time that we knew whether the fault is with the building trade or the Government? The negotiations should be brought to an end one way or the other and these men should be found employment by Christmas.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. Friend has called my attention to the intermittent discussions which have gone on since July last year. I have already agreed that it is high time we got a decision in this matter and we shall do our best.
§ Mr. J. E. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what will be the position unless a decision is arrived at 1228 between the Government and the building trade?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think that I need contemplate that for a moment. I am endeavouring to find an agreement without raising alternative or ulterior propositions until I have failed to get an agreement.