§ 19. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War, for what reason ex-service men over 45 years of age have been refused work at Corsham?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe upper age limit for engagement of civilian employés at War Department establishments generally is 45 years, but active and capable ex-service men may, in suitable cases, be entered above that age at the discretion of the local officer. In the case of the work under the Royal Engineers at Corsham, it was represented between April and May last that the character of the work proved too much for men over 45, and it was accordingly decided that it would be unfair and unwise to enter them. The decision has not been reached in the case of types of employment where the same consideration does not apply.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely the civil ex-service men over the age of 45 are able to do this ordinary work?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI have supplied my hon. and gallant Friend with the reasons that have prompted the decision, and I think they are good reasons.
§ Mr. PalingIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a lot of dissatisfaction in the country with employers who have adopted this practice in private industry, and is this not a bad example for the Government to set?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaAny representations that may be desired can be made. I have myself visited these works, and I think that anybody who has visited them and observed the character of the employment will agree with the decision.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIs there anything laid down in the regulations that ex-service men over 45 shall not be employed by the War Office or any of the Defence Departments?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaOn the contrary, in suitable cases they may be employed.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that the Minister of Labour promised that a special investigation would be made into this very grave aspect of the unemployment problem, and will the Secretary of State for War consult with the Minister 14 of Labour as to the desirability of giving first preference to men of this kind, who find it so difficult to get employment?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI am ready to consult anybody on this subject, but one must be fair to the men concerned. We cannot invite men to do work which is going to be a great strain on them.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the age limit of 45 apply to all classes, or only to ex-service men?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI think it applies to all men being engaged.
§ Mr. MacquistenIs the Minister aware that men over 45 have learned to work, while men of 25 have not, and that he will get much better work out of older men than out of younger men?
§ Mr. D. GrenfellIf the right hon. Gentleman's Department is not to give civil employment to men who served the Department, what other employer in the State is expected to do so?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThere is a misapprehension. This age limit applies in the case of a particular kind of work. There are men over 45 on other kinds of work.
§ Mr. MacquistenWhat is the work?