§ 2. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons who have registered for employment on the Central Registry; the number of professional workers who are registered at his Department; and how many of the persons who have so registered have been placed in employment by his Department?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe number of persons included in the Central Register at 13th January was 86,388. The number placed up to that date was 2,775. I would point out that only a small proportion of the persons on the register are unemployed; the object of the register is to maintain a record of persons with special qualifications so that their services may be called on as and when required.
As regards the second and third parts of the Question, I assume the hon. Member is referring to the supplementary 194 register which is being created and to the temporary machinery set up at the outbreak of war for dealing with applications for employment from persons with professional, technical and business attainments. The number of applications received up to 16th January was 9,265 and the number placed was 130.
§ Mr. GriffithsIn view of the very small number of people offering their services is it not evident that there is great dissatisfaction in the country and that it is due to the feeling that the Government are not making the best use of the services that are being offered?
§ Mr. BrownWe are putting all the energy we can into this matter. The largest proportion of applications, in London, accounts for roughly about 5,000 of them. We are setting up a separate office in London for this purpose and the matter is receiving the attention of the Office of Works.
§ Mr. LipsonCan my right hon. Friend assure the House that the names taken are not just entered upon a list and forgotten, but that real action is taken to find employment for the people concerned?