HC Deb 01 July 1920 vol 131 cc616-7
67. Mr. BRIANT

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that 325,000 members of the National Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors are estimated by that organisation to be out of work and what steps the Government propose to take for dealing with the problem?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Dr. Macnamara)

I have been asked to reply. I have seen the estimate of the Federation. So far as our registers are concerned, on June 18th there were 180,801 ex-service men claiming out-of-work donation. If I add to that figure the number who have exhausted their right to the same, and add another quota of ex-service men unemployed, but not on our registers, I think we could probably add another 20,000, making the estimated total of unemployed ex-service men round about 200,000. But if the Federation has any evidence that the number is larger, I shall he glad to have it. Over and above this 200,000 there are, I regret to say, probably round about 20,000 ex- officers and other ranks of similar educational qualifications who are unemployed. As regards the second part of the question, we are at work daily upon this problem, and, amongst other things, have the great advantage of the advice of the Standing Joint Committee upon which employers, trade unionists, and ex-service men are represented. While it is entirely creditable to the nation that 5¼million ex-service men have been re-absorbed in civil life, there still remains to us the task of concentrating our energies upon the outstanding 200,000 men and 20,000 officers and other ranks unemployed.

Captain TERRELL

Is it not possible to utilise the services of these men in the construction of new houses?

Mr. DONALD

Will the same machinery apply to Ireland?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes, precisely the same machinery as is used for the training of soldiers.

Captain TERRELL

Is it the fact that the trade unions will not allow these men to be employed in the building industry?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I would not make a sweeping statement of that kind. We have received great help from some trade unions, and we are in negotiation with others, which perhaps have not quite seen this problem in its proper perspective.