HC Deb 18 January 1940 vol 356 cc214-5
42. Mr. Ede

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what steps have been taken to find employment for the staffs of the area committees of the National Fitness Council, who were dismissed on the discontinuance of the work of the council; and how many of the staffs are still unemployed?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. The names and qualifications of all the secretaries and assistant secretaries of the area committees who wished to be considered for Government employment were submitted to the Treasury and to the Ministry of Labour, and the Board of Education have continually taken steps to bring to the notice of other Departments the names of individuals among them who seemed suitable for particular vacancies that have arisen. Five of the 22 secretaries and 16 of the 42 assistant secretaries are still, so far as is known to the Board, without employment. I have no information about the numbers of the subordinate staff of the area committees who may be unemployed, though I understand that a number of them have been placed through the instrumentality of the Board.

Mr. Ede

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his hon. Friend to the long delay which has taken place in the employment of these people, and especially of the very large number of subordinates?

Mr. Buchan-Hepburn

Yes, Sir.

Viscountess Astor

Will the Government promise us that they will never again set up such a sham thing as the National Fitness Council?