§ 4. Captain FULLERasked the Minister of Labour whether he will issue a circular to local authorities urging the need for them, when making appointments, to give priority to unemployed men, so long as their qualifications and character justify it, rather than to men already in receipt of means of livelihood in the form of pensions, etc.?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe consideration mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend is one which would no doubt be borne in mind in engaging staff, and I do not think it would appropriately form the subject of a circular to local authorities. I may add that if the authorities make use of the Employment Exchanges for this purpose, as many of them do, suitably qualified unemployed men would be sub mitted, in accordance with the usual Employment Exchange procedure.
§ Captain FULLERMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will make a special point of excluding ex-Service men's disability pensions from these instructions?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat is a matter which does not arise on this question.