HC Deb 16 March 1939 vol 345 cc569-70
14. Mr. Burke

asked the Minister of Labour under which regulation men are being summoned to the Burnley Employment Exchange merely for the purpose of answering questions as to their height and weight; and what is the purpose of these inquiries?

Mr. E. Brown

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Burke

Does not the Minister know whether there are any regulations?

Mr. Brown

It is on that point that I am making inquiries.

Mr. Day

Is it not possible to obtain the information by circulating forms to these men?

Mr. Lawson

Is it not a serious matter that Employment Exchanges should do this kind of thing?

Mr. Brown

I should like to know what the particular cases are.

Mr. Burke

Is there a regulation that allows this to be done?

Mr. Brown

Until I have made inquiries and found what the facts are I do not know what they are, or what the purpose of the inquiry was. As soon as I get the result of my investigations I will let the House know.

Mr. Burke

It is not a case of that kind. May I—

Mr. Speaker rose

—

Mr. Burke

On a point of Order. This is an important matter on which I should like to get a definite reply from the Minister.

Mr. Speaker

The Minister has said that he is making inquiries.

Forward to