HC Deb 18 May 1939 vol 347 cc1584-6
1. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour how many men registered as out of work at Employment Exchanges will be liable to be called up for compulsory military service?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The only available statistics relate to the number of unemployed men aged 18 and under 21 years. The number of such men on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 17th April, 1939, was 56,844.

Mr. Davies

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate of how many are 20 years of age?

Mr. Brown

If the average is taken over the whole group, the number would be under 20,000. That does not mean that they are all unemployed now. They were registered on that date, but many will have been at work since then.

Mr. Duncan

How many of them are on unemployment assistance?

Mr. Brown

I have no information on that point.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the Minister aware that we have just received telegrams from the Clyde that the Clyde apprentices are on strike against the conscription Bill? Will the apprentices that are of age and are working on work of national importance be exempt from conscription?

Mr. Brown

Certainly not. There are only three grounds of exemption: that they are in the Regular Forces, that they establish conscientious objection before a tribunal, or they cannot pass the medical tribunal.

Mr. George Griffiths

Or they belong to Sandhurst College.

2. Mr. Davies

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men liable for compulsory military service employed in agriculture, distribution, mining, textiles, and transport, respectively; and what is the percentage to the total males employed in each case?

Mr. Brown

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

6. Mr. Denville

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the position of actors, variety artistes, and other similar persons, in connection with compulsory military training and the reserve forces; and whether it is proposed to make any arrangements with regard to the re-absorption of such persons into their normal employment after discharge from military training?

Mr. Brown

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Military Training Bill makes general provision with regard to the reinstatement of militiamen in employment, including a power to make regulations with regard to certain matters. It would, I am sure, be advantageous if the organisations in the entertainment industry were to consult together as to the manner in which these provisions could best be operated. Any information or advice which my Department could give would be at their disposal.

7. Miss Cazalet

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in cases where men are released for compulsory military training, he will ask employers wherever possible to replace them temporarily by men who have a long record of unem ployment?

Mr. Brown

I have no doubt that in filling such temporary vacancies, employers will give due consideration to the claims of the long-term unemployed possessing the necessary qualifications, and naturally I should welcome any arrangements of this kind which employers may find it possible to make.

Mr. Gallacher

Will the Minister make certain that the employers are not allowed to fill the places of the lads who are out on strike against conscription? There is no answer.

15. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Labour the date on which conversations first took place with the representatives of the churches on the subject of the Clauses to be incorporated in the Military Training Bill on the subject of conscientious objectors?

Mr. Brown

I have had no discussion with official representatives of the churches on the Military Training Bill, but have seen, at their own request, a deputation from the Council of Christian Pacifist Groups. The date in question was Wednesday, 10th May.

Mr. Mander

On a point of Order. I addressed this question to the Prime Minister and it has been passed to the Minister of Labour, but, obviously, he cannot answer it. Had the question been put down to the Prime Minister as I intended, no doubt the Prime Minister would have been in a position to give an answer. In the circumstances, was it proper to refer the question to a Minister who is not in a position to answer it?

Mr. Magnay

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) is not the Nonconformist Conscience?

Mr. Speaker

No doubt it was because the subject of the hon. Member's question fell to be dealt with by the Minister of Labour.

Mr. Mander

If I put this question down again, addressed to the Prime Minister, will it, then, be in order for him to give me an answer?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member has already had an answer.

Mr. Mander

With great respect, I have not had an answer from the one Minister who can give me an answer. The question has been referred to a junior Minister who cannot answer it.

Mr. Brown

May I point out that the question relates to the date on which conversations first took place with the representatives of the churches, and on that point the hon. Member has had a full answer?

Mr. Kirkwood

And from a full man.

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