§ 36. Captain LOSEBYasked the Minister of Labour the number of local authorities that have qualified to have their names inscribed on the King's Roll by virtue of giving an undertaking that 5 per cent. of their total number of employés should be disabled ex-service men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn England and Wales there are 57 county boroughs on the Roll and 25 not on the Roll; 155 town councils on the Roll and 120 not on the Roll; 16 county councils on the Roll and 47 not on the Roll; 85 boards of guardians on the Roll, 561 not on the Roll; 291 urban district councils on the Roll, 508 not on the Roll; 75 rural district councils on the Roll, 574 not on the Roll. In Scotland, 41 town councils are on the Roll, 162 are not on the Roll; 5 county councils on the Roll, 28 not on the Roll; 2 county district committees on the Roll, 97 not on the Roll.
Of course, as regards smaller local authorities, boards of guardians, rural district councils, and parish councils in Scotland, the total number of employés in each case is probably small. I can well understand that in these cases it is not always easy to qualify, but, undoubtedly, the comment does not apply to the larger municipal bodies. It may be that many of these not on the Roll are already employing enough disabled men to qualify them for admission to the Roll. I hope that they will meet me by requesting the entry of their name upon the Roll, because of the great force of example which is thus set in their own localities.
§ Captain LOSEBYHas a special appeal been made to local authorities to have their names on the King's Roll, and, speaking generally, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the result?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere have been several appeals. One has very recently been made, and, although I do not want to seem ungrateful or ungracious for what has been done, I am not satisfied. Many may be qualified who are not on the Roll. I hope they will take this hint. I am not 421 satisfied generally with the fact that many have not their names on the Roll.
§ Sir S. HOAREHas the right hon. Gentleman the figures for the metropolitan boroughs and can he circulate the names of the larger local authorities that have not joined the Roll?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs to London if the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question I will obtain the information. The circulation of the names I will think about. Perhaps this will be enough for them.
§ Mr. LINDSAYHave the public authorities in Ireland been applied to, to have their names on the Roll?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think the King's Roll counts for very much in Ireland, I am sorry to say.
§ Mr. LINDSAYHas any application been made to any firms in Ireland to have their names on the Roll? My information is that application is not made to them.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat may be. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question on the subject.
§ Mr. RAFFANAs so few county councils are responding, and so few are on the Roll, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of communicating with the County Councils' Association?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI was under the impression that that was one of the many things we have done. If it has not been done it will be done.
§ Mr. BILLINGCan the right hon. Gentleman supply the local authorities with a list of all these men and the work for which they are suitable, and thus give the authorities an opportunity of selecting their men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think the local authorities have a list of men unemployed in their areas, though many such lists have been prepared.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to supply every member of this House with a list of all the men in his constituency who are trying to find work under this scheme, so that hon. Members may take some action?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have supplied information more than once, and am very much obliged for the very good work achieved by very many hon. Members.
§ Mr. R. McLARENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases local authorities employing ex-service men look upon it as spectacular rather than as very practical?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI believe it to be a fact that a great many of those not on the Roll are already qualified, but I respectfully urge upon them the necessity of getting upon the Roll and setting an example to other people.
Mr. A. DAVIES (Clitheroe)Is this delinquency on the part of the local authorities going to be attributed to the responsibility of the trade unions?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not asking the trade unions to go on the Roll. I do not quite see the point of the question.