HC Deb 27 February 1940 vol 357 cc1898-9
57. Mrs. Adamson

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on whose authority the fee-charging agency of Miss Ida Parrott, Africa House, Kings-way, was authorised to offer employment in the Ministry of Information to applicants for work; and what steps will be taken to ensure that such methods shall not be used by other Departments?

Captain Crookshank

I understand that some weeks age the Ministry of Information urgently required temporary typing staff which the Ministry of Labour were not then able to supply. They, therefore, by arrangement with the Ministry of Labour, approached other sources and one girl was engaged through the agency mentioned. As regards the second part of the Question, all Departments are well aware that vacancies for temporary staff should be filled through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour, and I do not think that further instructions are called for.

Mrs. Adamson

Is it not a fact that when this matter was raised previously a pledge was given to this House that all such vacancies would be filled through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour, and will the Minister take steps to see that that pledge is honoured in future?

Captain Crookshank

As regards any previous Question, I remember the terms of it, and I said that I had no specific information and asked for details, and it is only since the hon. Lady put down this Question that I have been able to make the necessary investigation. As regards the second part of the Question, as I have already said, it is an instruction that all vacancies should be filled through the machinery of the Ministry of Labour.