HC Deb 20 April 1939 vol 346 c484
25. Mr. George Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the taking of the next Census, instructions will be given that unemployed man shall be taken on in preference to those who already have occupations?

Mr. Bernays

Enumerators must be engaged a considerable period in advance of the Census, on conditions which bind them to serve without fail at the Census date. The duties are normally equivalent to not more than about a week's work, at corresponding remuneration. Experience has, however, shown that in very many cases unemployed persons cannot enter into the necessary undertaking without prejudice to their chances of obtaining some other regular employment which might be offered in the meantime.

Mr. Griffiths

In view of the fact that there are many unemployed men of ability who could do this work, will the hon. Gentleman see that they get a chance before men who are drawing big salaries?

Mr. Bernays

An experiment of that kind was tried in 1931, and it was not successful.