§ 79. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Minister of Labour how many ex-apprentices there are who were discharged from His Majesty's Dockyard in 1922, and who are now registered upon the books of the Devonport Employment Exchange, stating their trades?
§ Mr. BETTERTON:The information desired by the hon. Member could only be obtained by detailed inquiry at the Devonport Employment Exchange and by inquiry of each applicant personally, who appeared to have been discharged from the dockyard in 1922, to ascertain whether he was an ex-apprentice. I do not think the labour involved would be justified by the result
Major HO RE-BELISHAIs not the hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme anxiety caused amongst these ex-apprentices and that preference has been promised in finding them work? What action does his Department propose to take to do that properly?
§ Mr. BETTERTON:That, I think, is the subject of the next question by the hon. Member
§ 80 and 81. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the Minister of Labour
- (1) whether he is aware that the Admiralty has undertaken that ex-apprentices in His Majesty's dockyards shall be given preference for re-entry whenever opportunity arises; whether he can state if the local Employment Exchanges in Devonport and Plymouth are following out this policy; and, if so, to what extent?
- (2) whether he is aware that there are a number of ex-dockyard shipwrights and other apprentices who were dis
1671 charged from His Majesty's dockyards in 1922, and that many of these lads have had no work since, although their skill is of the highest order they being picked men; that although these young men have registered at the Employment Exchange they rarely succeed in getting employment even as labourers; and whether he will give special instructions that these men should be taken on at the earliest possible opportunity lest their health and skill should suffer from their anxiety and lack of employment?
§ Mr.BETTERTONI am aware that discharges from the dockyards took place in 1922, and some of the men discharged may not have found skilled employment since. The question of re-engagement at the dockyards is a matter for the Admiralty and I am assured that the claims of ex-apprentices are and will be given full consideration as vacancies occur.
§ Major HORE-BELISHA:Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that these ex-apprentices are registered at the Employment Exchanges, and it cannot be a question for the Admiralty if they are so registered. Are there no arrangements in force?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have answered that in the last part of the question. l have assured the hon. Member that their claims will be given full consideration, and there is close co-operation between the. Employment Exchanges and the dockyard authorities.