§ 3. Major LEIGHTONasked the Minister of Labour whether the number of firms registered on the King's Roll has decreased or increased during the last year?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe number of firms enrolled on the King's National Roll decreased by 566 from 25,910 in December, 1930, to 25,34,4 in December, 1931.
§ Mr. HANNONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many municipalities are on the roll?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThere is another question on that point.
§ Major LEIGHTONAre there any steps that the right hon. Gentleman can take in order to get further firms to enrol?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIn this matter we rely upon the King's Roll National Council, and I will see that the question of my hon. and gallant Friend, and the answer, are brought to the attention of the Council.
§ Major LEIGHTONWould it be possible, if I put down another question, for the right hon. Gentleman to say how many ex-service men have been absorbed under this scheme?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONYes, Sir. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put a question down.
§ 4. Major LEIGHTONasked the Minister of Labour whether all local authorities have now registered on the King's Roll and, if not, how many have not so registered?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONWith the exception of 50, all local authorities which, by reason of the size of the staff employed by them, could be expected to fulfil the requisite conditions, are enrolled on the King's National Roll.
§ Major LEIGHTONWould it be possible to make public the names of those local authorities that have not enrolled?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat question has been asked very often in past years, and the King's Roll National Council have themselves considered it. They consider however that to publish the names would not achieve the end which they have in view and they prefer that these authorities should not be pilloried.
§ Major LEIGHTONWould it not be possible to circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT, SO that Members of Parliament may know them?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI do not think that that would have the approval of the King's Roll National Council. They have directly asked us not to do it.
§ 5. Major LEIGHTONasked the Minister of Labour what means he adopts to ensure that firms which have registered on the King's Roll continue to employ the right percentage of disabled men?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe local administration of the King's Roll Scheme is a responsibility of local King's Roll Committees, which, from time to time, take such steps as they consider necessary to satisfy themselves that employers on the Roll are observing the terms of their undertakings. A Certificate of Enrolment under The National Scheme is usually granted for two years only, and 441 the position is reviewed by the local committee at the end of that period before enrolment is renewed.
§ Major LEIGHTONCould the Minister make tests among a few firms in different parts of England, to see whether this scheme is being carried out?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI will inquire of the King's Roll National Council as to whether they can provide me with the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.