§ 58. Captain LOSEBYasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that certain local authorities are refusing to consider applications for municipal contracts from firms whose names are not registered upon the King's Roll of Employers; and if he will consider the advisability of applying the same rule to Government contractors?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir. I am aware of the action of certain local authorities to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and if I thought that within a reasonable time all Government contractors 2379 would not register their names upon the King's Roll of Employers I should be prepared to seek the authority of a Resolution of this House for similar action. Some further time must, however, be allowed to employers to make arrangements for absorbing the requisite percentage of disabled ex-Service men into their employment before compulsory measures are instituted.
§ Captain LOSEBYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there would appear to be a real danger of this Employers' Roll becoming a dead letter, and if that did happen it would be the death blow to one of the greatest hopes of the disabled men?
§ Mr. BILLINGWould it not be possible to make it a condition of all contracts within a certain time that any man who enters into a contract shall abide by the wishes and the Regulations of this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a suggestion which ought to be considered very carefully. There is a good deal to be said for it. As to the Roll being a dead letter, that would mean a very serious position, because we must keep faith with these men who, on the promises made to them, went to serve their country.
§ Mr. HURDWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of putting this Roll in post offices throughout the country, with special reference to the local firms upon it, with a view to making the scheme better known?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat also seems to be a very good idea and a practical suggestion.
§ 59. Captain LOSEBYasked the Prime Minister if, for the purpose of example, he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions that heads of Government Departments should certify that they have fulfilled the conditions in regard to employment of disabled men required of employers of labour prior to registration on the King's Roll?
§ Mr. BALDWINEvery effort is being made to secure that employment is found 2380 in the Civil Service as a whole for disabled ex-service men to the greatest extent possible, and His Majesty's Government are already employing in Government Departments and industrial establishments considerably more ex-service men than the 5 per cent. requirement, and are making special efforts to continue the largest possible recruitment of disabled ex-service men. That these efforts have not' been unsuccessful is shown by the figures in the return recently presented to Parliament of ex-service men employed in Government Departments (Cmd. 598).
§ Captain LOSEBYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are certain individual Departments where that employment is not given?
§ Mr. BALDWINIf the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to bring the matter to my notice I shall be glad to inquire.