§ 1. Mr. Fosterasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the strong feeling which exists in the country because of the existence of over 100,000 unemployed; and what steps he is taking to have this man- and woman-power absorbed in industry with the view of securing the maximum war effort?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)No, Sir. I am not aware of the strong feeling alleged by my hon. Friend. The total to which he refers includes very few who remain unemployed for any length of time, and cannot be regarded as being of any substantial importance as a reservoir of labour. My hon. Friend may rest assured, however, that with the increasing pressure on man-power no opportunity for making use of every available unit will be overlooked by my Department.
§ Mr. FosterIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a very large number of men and women who are fit for jobs in Government factories which are at present being done by fit men, and that in many cases these men and women are given the necessary green card at the Employment Exchanges and are sent to the factories, but when they get there are refused employment? Should not this labour be utilised?
§ Mr. BevinI issued an instruction on that matter some time ago which has been pretty successful. The best way of dealing with it would be for my hon. Friend to give me information concerning the factories and places he has in mind, and I would then follow it up.
§ Sir Granville GibsonIn the figure of unemployed referred to in the Question, can my night hon. Friend say how many are temporarily and how many are permanently unemployed?
§ Mr. BevinI think that about 25 per cent. are more or less permanently unemployed. These people are old, and it is really a question of invalidity. I should say that the bulk of the remainder are temporarily unemployed.