§ 35. Sir W. SUGDENasked the First, Lord of the Admiralty if he calls for proof in every case of the placing of an order for a ship in a private shipbuilding yard that the firm at the placing of such order is on the King's Roll of those employing an agreed quota of disabled ex-service men; and does he also assure himself that such quota is maintained until the conclusion of such contract?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that, under the terms on which the King's Roll certificate is issued to the employer, it is incumbent upon him to notify the local committee administering the King's National Roll immediately he 951 ceases to employ the qualifying percentage of disabled men. Notifications of such withdrawals from the Roll are made to the Admiralty by the Ministry of Labour, and in the absence of such notification or other evidence the Admiralty assumes the contractor to have remained enrolled.
§ Sir W. SUGDENDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is making application to the Minister of Labour to see that these matters are checked at certain stated intervals?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir, that was not my answer. The practice is that the Ministry of Labour inform us when any firm ceases to be qualified to remain on the Roll.