HC Deb 19 May 1938 vol 336 cc549-51
6. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to give any information concerning the boy, Wilfred Weaver, of Stainforth, near Doncaster?

Mr. E. Brown

This youth was placed through the Juvenile Transference scheme in August, 1936, as a core maker with

deputation from West Wales, and I understand that I am to see them again later.

Following is the statement:

a firm of iron founders at Oldbury. In December, 1937, this employment terminated, but in January, 1938, he was found work as an iron moulder with another firm in Oldbury. He left this employment on 2nd March, 1938, and enlisted in the Army but did not inform the Juvenile Department of the Oldbury Employment Exchange. The local exchange did not refuse to inform the parents where the boy was stationed; it had no information on this point, as he had not told the exchange.

Mr. T. Williams

In a case such as this, where the boy is only 16 years of age, is it not the duty of the officials of the Employment Exchange to ascertain where the boy has gone?

Mr. Brown

Certainly, and that happened. In the end the Employment Exchange got the information from the employer about nine days after, and it was at once transmitted to the boy's parents.

Mr. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that neither the boy's parents nor the Secretary of State for War nor anyone connected with the boy knew where he was?

Mr. Brown

We did not know either. The boy enlisted. I am anxious to do all that I can to help, but the hon. Member may know that there are personal circumstances which I do not desire to discuss in public, and I shall be glad to discuss the whole case with him as the result of exhaustive inquiries.