§ 28. Mr. LUNN(for Mr. T. WILLIAMS) asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, on what grounds, in making arrangements for providing unemployed single men with work in labour camps under the Forestry Commission, it has been decided that men who have been employed for some time under the commission should be discharged; whether he is aware that numbers of these men have been discharged and are not entitled to unemployment benefit; and whether he will reconsider this policy of having some men discharged in order to make room for others?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)No arrangements have been made to discharge men who have been employed for some time under the Forestry Commission to provide unemployed single men with work in labour camps. The normal seasonal discharges after completion of the current planting and nursery programmes have been, or will be, necessary, but no men in labour camps have been, or will be, employed on such work. The question of reconsideration of policy does not therefore arise. The commissioners are aware that discharged forestry workers are not entitled to unemployment benefit.