§ 6. Mr. LEONARDasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that officials in charge of Employment Exchanges (juvenile sections) endeavour to ascertain if boys registering for employment have been members of boy scouts or similar organisations; and if such questions are put on his instructions?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, Sir. Tins item of information is generally asked for as it is of assistance to juvenile employment committees in their endeavours to keep in touch with juveniles after they have been placed in employment, and for this purpose the committees make a good deal of use of the various juvenile organisations to which the boys and girls may belong.
§ Mr. LEONARDMay I ask whether such questions do not restrict the field of opportunities for boys who may not be members of such organisations, and would it not be advisable to leave such questions to the employers when the boys present themselves?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI cannot agree with the hon. Member in his assumption. The procedure now is exactly the same as it has been for many years past, including the time of the Labour Government.
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANDoes the fact that a procedure has been in existence for a long time make it necessary to carry on what is a wrong procedure?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, but if a procedure has been going on for a long time and has worked well Fin- a number of years that fact must be taken into consideration.
§ Mr. HARRISIs not this information used by after-care committees?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI think that is so.