§ 43. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the urgent need for placing every ex-officer, or men of similar accomplishments, in employment, he can state how many of these men have secured employment through the Appointments Department of the Ministry during the past 60 days; how many are still awaiting employment; and what efforts are being made to place the balance in positions at the earliest possible moment; and can he state to what extent has the scheme of placing these men through Members of this House been successful?
§ Sir R. HORNE3,868 men of the class referred to by the hon. Member have been placed in employment by the Appointments Department during the last eight weeks, 635 of this number having been placed in the week ended 13th February, 15,817 ex-officers and men are still on the books of the Department as unemployed. The efforts which are being taken to place these men in employment include the canvassing of individual firms, advertisement of the work of the Department in the public press and elsewhere and addresses to Chambers of Commerce and other representative bodies of business and professional men. At the present time special efforts are being made to set up, generally throughout the United Kingdom, additional special Employment Panels of business and professional men, to interview and advise all candidates for employment. These panels, which have been in full operation in the London district for more than two months, and have already been formed in twenty-six other towns, are proving of great use in finding employment for candidates. The scheme of placing men through hon. Members resulted in the issue to employers in the 882 London district by fifty-three Members of some 2,000 letters, as a result of which at least seventy-five men have been placed in employment. I venture to take this opportunity of asking all Members to do all that lies in their power to assist the scheme and to interest others in the work.
Captain S. WILSONWhy is it that only London M.P.'s have been asked, so far, to co-operate in this work? In view of the fact that the methods adopted in the London area appear to have been so eminently successful cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to apply it throughout the whole country?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is my intention. We made a beginning in London and the success undoubtedly justifies a continuance and extension of that procedure.