4. Captain GUESTasked the Minister of Labour whether the officials of Employment Exchanges work under any instructions as to the order in which persons on the unemployment register should be allotted work; and whether he is aware that complaints have been aroused by the practice, which appears to prevail in Plymouth, of giving preference in the provision of work to men who have only been unemployed for short periods?
Mr. HUDSONThere are no such instructions. The ruling consideration in the submission of applicants for industrial vacancies is their suitability for the work. I am not aware that there has been any departure from this principle of selection at the Plymouth Exchange.
Captain GUESTMay I ask the Minister if there is not an advantage to the public funds in putting people rapidly back to work, and, if that is so, is it not rather unfair upon those who have been out of work for a long time?
Mr. HUDSONYes, Sir, but the important thing is that employers generally should know that only the most suitable persons are submitted by the Exchanges, and that is the ruling consideration in all these matters.
Captain GUESTIs it not a fact that more and more people are becoming unemployable owing to the fact that they are left out of employment for so long by the Employment Exchanges?