HC Deb 08 June 1939 vol 348 cc570-1
10. Mr. Gledhill

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled ex-service men resident in the area covered by the Halifax Employment Exchange are registered as unemployed; how many are considered unable to follow their usual occupation but are fit for light work only; how many of these have been on the register for over 12 months; and what special steps are being taken to improve the situation?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

On 5th June there were 35 disabled ex-service men registered at the Halifax Employment Exchange as unemployed. Of these, 14 were suffering from disabilities which prevented them from returning to their usual occupations but would not preclude them from employment under ordinary conditions on light work; and four have been unemployed for 12 months or more. As regards the last part of the question, the King's Roll Committees and the Employment Exchanges throughout the country are active in their efforts to find suitable opportunities for these men.

Mr. Gledhill

In view of the difficulty of placing these unemployed disabled men, will the Minister, in conjunction with the Minister of Pensions, consider some scheme for finally pensioning them off, and so save the great amount of work that is put in by the King's Roll committees?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Every possible effort is being made to find these men work, and the matter is constantly under consideration.

Mr. Silverman

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us what exactly is meant in his answer by the words "light work"; and where light work is to be obtained?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There are three categories of employment in such cases, A, B and C. Category B envisages light work other than the work to which the man is accustomed. It would probably vary from place to place, as different people have their own ideas as to what light work is.

Mr. Silverman

While I fully appreciate that, I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman whether there is in fact, apart from this classification, any such thing as light work, and whether there is any such thing available for people who are able to do it?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Light manual work, certainly.