HC Deb 29 November 1922 vol 159 cc696-7
31. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that less than half the municipal authorities in the country are members of the Roll of Honour; and what steps he proposes taking to see that local authorities carry out their moral obligations towards disabled ex-service men?

Sir M. BARLOW

I am fully aware of what I cannot but regard as the disappointing response made by municipal authorities under the Boll of Honour Scheme. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, on 27th November, it is proposed to appoint immediately a King's Roll National Council and a number of local King's Roll committees, and the position of municipal authorities will be among the first of the matters to be dealt with by these bodies.

Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider writing in his official capacity to the municipal authorities with a view of getting them to join the Roll of Honour?

Sir M. BARLOW

I believe that that has already been done, but I thought that we would have real assistance from the King's Roll Committees in this matter.

Mr. WALLHEAD

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Government is setting an example of moral rectitude to the municipalities by its own conduct towards ex-service men in other directions?

Sir M. BARLOW

The standard of employment of ex-service men in Government offices is so high that if it was followed all over the country ex-service men would all be absorbed.

Sir W. DAVISON

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the names of the local authorities which have not joined the King's Roll of Honour?

Sir M. BARLOW

The question of what, I am afraid, must inevitably become a black list has been considered on more than one occasion. I would very much rather make another effort to see whether, as a matter of good will, we cannot carry the local authorities with us.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a similar answer has been given for more than a year? Has not the time arrived for this list to be published?