HC Deb 01 April 1943 vol 388 cc307-12
4. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Minister of Labour whether, under the Control of Engagement Order which permits, as an alternative to application by women to employment exchanges, recourse to employment agencies approved by his Department, he accepts applications from individual firms; and what are the conditions governing the basis of approval?

Mr. Bevin

It is open to any individual firm of employment agents to apply for approval under the Control of Engagement Order. The principles on which agencies may be approved are set out in the replies given to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. R. Morgan) on 29th January, 1942, and to the hon. and gallant Member for King's Norton (Major Peto) on 10th March, 1942, of which I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.

Sir L. Lyle

Is it not a fact that practically none of the commercial fee-charging agencies have been approved so far; that, of the 28 agencies which have been approved, 19 are universities and the rest are industrial organisations; and that no commercial fee-charging agencies have been approved?

Mr. Bevin

That is quite true. It is very difficult to fit them into this war task.

14. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Minister of Labour the names of the 28 agencies which have been approved under the Employment of Women (Control of Engagement) Order.

Mr. Bevin

With my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, I will circulate a list of the approved agencies in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Does that list include any of the well-known and established workers' agencies which were functioning as such before the war?

Mr. Bevin

I think not.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is there any reason why they should not be included?

Mr. Bevin

I answered that question a few moments ago, in reply to another hon. Member. It is very difficult to fit them in for the placing of labour in connection with the war effort.

Following is the list:

Approved Agencies. Type of Person to be placed. Type of Employment in which to be placed.
1. University of Aberdeen Appointments Board. Students and graduates of the University of Aberdeen. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
2. Birmingham University Appointments Board. Students and graduates of Birmingham University. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
3. University of Bristol Appointments Board. Students and graduates of the University of Bristol. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
4. Cambridge University Women's Appointments Board. Students and graduates of Cambridge University. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
5. University of Durham Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Durham. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
6. University of Edinburgh Appointments Committee. Students and graduates of University of Edinburgh. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
7. The University, Glasgow Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Glasgow. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
8. University of Leeds Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Leeds. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
9. University of Liverpool Appointments Bureau. Students and graduates of University of Liverpool. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
10. University of London Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of London. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
11. Manchester University Appointments Board. Students and graduates of Manchester University. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
12. University College, Nottingham Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University College, Nottingham. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
13. Oxford University Women's Appointments Committee. Students and graduates of Oxford University. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
14. The University Reading, Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Reading. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
15. University of Sheffield Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Sheffield. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
16. University College, Southampton Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University College, Southampton. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
17. The University of St. Andrews Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of St. Andrews. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
18. University College of the South West of England Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University College of South West of England. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
19. University of Wales Appointments Board. Students and graduates of University of Wales. Vital war work suitable to their capacities.
20. Industrial Welfare Society Trained or experienced Personnel Managers. Personnel Managers
Trained or experienced Welfare Supervisors. Welfare Supervisors
21. Institute of Hospital Almoners. Certificated Hospital Almoners Hospital Almoners
22. Society of Women Housing Managers. (a) Trained Yousing Managers (a)Housing Managers
(b) Students accepted for training who satisfy the requirements from time to time in force contained in instructions issued by the Minister for students taking courses at Technical colleges and other similar institutions. (b) Student Housing Managers in offices approved by the Society for training purposes.
23. Institute of Labour Management. Trained or experienced Personnel Managers. Personnel Managers
Trained or experience Welfare Supervisors. Welfare Supervisors
24. The Society of Radiographers Registered members of the Society of Radiographers. Radiographers
25. Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. Any women covered by the Orders, with the exception of single women or widows who are being dealt with under the N.S. Acts. Any full-time employment in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, except ancillary employment in Headquarters and Command Offices, and Distributing Warehouses.
Approved Agencies. Type of Person to be placed. Type of Employment in which to be placed.
26. Association of Psychiatric Social Workers. Members of the Association of Psychiatric Social Workers. Psychiatric Social Workers
27. Central Pharmaceutical War Committee. (a) Qualified Pharmacists (a) Pharmacists
(b) Dispensers (b) Dispensers
(c) Women who have been regularly employed in the handling of drugs and medical and surgical appliances for a minimum period of six months other than those who are liable under the National Service Acts and in the age classes being dealt with under those Acts. (c) Drug Hands
28. The Scottish Central Pharmaceutical War Committee. (a) Qualified Pharmacists (a) Pharmacists
(b) Dispensers (b) Dispensers
(c) Women who have been regularly employed in the handling of drugs and medical and surgical appliances for a minimum period of six months other than those who are liable under the National Service Acts and in the age classes being dealt with under those Acts. (c) Drug Hands

15. Sir G. Jeffreys

asked the Minister of Labour as Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes is an approved employment agency under the Control of Employment Order and solely enrols applicants for its own service, how it is possible for this primary duty effectively to be combined with its functions as an employment agency; and whether other organisations of a similar character will be similarly treated?

Mr. Bevin

N.A.A.F.I. has been approved in this connection for the purpose only of engaging women for their own staff, and does not operate otherwise as an employment agency. The circumstances of these Institutes are exceptional and would not apply, so far as I know, to any other organisation. Nevertheless, I am reviewing the whole situation as regards these Institutes.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is N.A.A.F.I. either licensed in London or registered at its address in Surrey? Both of these conditions, I understand, are necessary for employment agencies. Unless they are fulfilled, is N.A.A.F.I. really qualified to act as an employment agency under the Order?

Mr. Bevin

I am indebted to my hon. and gallant Friend for putting down this Question. As I said, I am reviewing the whole position.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is it not a fact that N.A.A.F.I. has one of the right hon. Gentleman's own officials on the headquarters staff, to ensure that the Regulations are carried out?

Mr. Bevin

I can only repeat that this Question caused me to look into the matter. I am not quite sure that the Regulation is carried out, and I propose to review the position.