§ 57. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Labour what are the total number of persons appointed to Government posts from the Central Register since the beginning of the war; and what are the total other appointments to posts of similar grade?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe total number of persons on the Central Register notified by Departments as placed between the outbreak of war and 16th March is 3,997, and some 3,000 others are under consideration. I regret that information as to the total of other appointments to posts of similar grade is not available.
§ Mr. ParkerWhat will be the proportion approximately of the appointments made?
§ Mr. AsshetonAs I told the House and the hon. Member, there is no information on that point, and naturally I cannot work out a proportion.
§ Sir P. HarrisAre not there about 100,000 people registered on the Central Register, and is the hon. Member satisfied that this machinery is working efficiently, as there is great need to obtain competent men in many Government Departments?
§ Mr. AsshetonThere are something like 90,000 names on the Central Register, but the great majority of these are now in employment and ready to make themselves available for other work if the Government call upon them. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is never satisfied.