§ 49. Captain GUNSTONasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether firms undertaking Government contracts under the rearmament programme are required to observe the condition of the King's Roll, by which 5 per cent. of the employés have to be disabled ex-service men; and whether it applies to additional labour required to carry out such contracts?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI am advised that in undertaking Government contracts for the Service Departments under the rearmament programme, contractors are 2010 required to observe the conditions of the King's National Roll, both in respect of their existing staff and of any additional staff engaged.
§ 52. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in placing contracts for the supply of material and equipment necessary for the defence scheme, he will consider the advisability of stipulating that employers with whom these contracts are placed shall give an undertaking that where additional labour is needed to carry out those contracts a fair percentage of ex-service men shall be employed?
§ Sir T. INSKIPThe fact that Government contracts are confined, save in exceptional circumstances, to employers enrolled on the King's National Roll, involves an obligation upon contractors to employ a minimum percentage of disabled ex-service men, normally not less than 5 per cent. of their total staff. In addition, where the additional labour needed is engaged through the Employment Exchanges, the exchanges, in accordance with their established practice in selecting men for consideration by employers, will give preference to ex-service men among those equally well qualified for employment. I do not think it is practicable to impose any further stipulations in the direction desired by my hon. Friend.