HC Deb 25 May 1939 vol 347 cc2472-4
2. Sir Thomas Rosbotham

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that employers are dispensing with the services of young men approaching the age of 20; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard the employment of these young persons and their future prospects in life in such cases?

21. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that evidence is accumulating daily of youths approaching the age of 20 being discharged from their employment; and whether the action proposed to be taken to prevent or penalise evasion of the responsibilities thrown upon employers under the Military Training Bill will be retrospective in character?

Mr. E. Brown

I have had a few letters alleging that employers have dispensed with the services of young men approaching the age of 20 on account of their obligation to undergo military training, but I have no ground for supposing that these are other than isolated cases. There are powers under the Military Training Bill to enable me to make regulations restraining employers from terminating the employment of their employés in such circumstances, and I shall not hesitate to use these powers in any way that seems likely to be most effective. Any such regulations would take effect from the date on which they are made.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the letters which he has received, many hon. Members have also received letters which indicate that these cases are more widespread than the right hon. Gentleman has suggested? As to the regulations, may I ask whether he intends to issue the regulations he has in mind immediately so as to restrain employers who have taken action, and, if not, what is to be done in the case of those men who have already been dismissed?

Mr. Brown

I cannot make the regulations retrospective, or issue them until the Bill becomes an Act, which is not until to-morrow.

Mr. Shinwell

Did not the Parliamentary Secretary in the Committee stage say that the regulations would be retrospective in so far as dealing with employers who sought to evade their responsibilities was concerned?

Mr. Brown

I think the hon. Member is mistaken. He is recalling a statement made on another issue.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Inasmuch as the regulations have been drafted with a view to being enacted to-morrow, will the right hon. Gentleman lay the regulations to-night so that we may see them?

Mr. Brown

I have not said that they are in draft. I have said that I will produce them as soon as I can directly the Bill becomes an Act to-morrow.

Mr. Benn

Are they in draft or not?

Mr. Brown

Not at the moment.

Mr. Mander

Pending the issue of the regulations what are those persons to do who claim to have been dismissed? Should they communicate with the right hon. Gentleman and state their case? There are many who would like to know.

Mr. Brown

I should like to know the cases to which the two hon. Members are referring.

Mr. Hammersley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although these allegations are fairly general, there is a great difficulty in obtaining confirmatory details as to whether the allegations are genuine or not?

Mr. Brown

It is exactly that which made me ask for particulars. The House will understand that when I produce the regulations I want them to be effective to deal with the actual cases which have arisen.

Mr. Shinwell

If the right hon. Gentleman receives information of the kind for which he has asked, will he promise to deal with the cases immediately and make full inquiry?

Mr. Brown

Certainly, and without any delay.

Mr. Benn

How can employers comply with regulations if they do not see them? Why does not the right hon. Gentleman produce them at once?

Mr. Brown

The right hon. Gentleman would be the first to complain if I produced regulations before I am authorised to make them.

Sir T. Rosbotham

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the letter I sent him, and will he verify the facts?