HC Deb 25 May 1939 vol 347 c2471
30. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to ensure that the recruitment of labour for the new ordnance factories is made through the Employment Exchanges; and whether he will undertake to see that preference is given to workmen who have been unemployed for a long period?

Mr. E. Brown

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Widnes (Mr. Pilkington) on 11th May. As regards the second part, I can assure the hon. Member that Employment Exchanges will continue to give, as they are giving, every consideration to the claims of suitable applicants who have been long unemployed.

Mr. Griffiths

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to a reply to a previous question. Can he say what is the effect of that reply?

Mr. Brown

I said that this particular point was under active consideration.