HC Deb 01 March 1945 vol 408 cc1532-3
4. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Labour whether employers, on reinstating a discharged Serviceman under the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act, are entitled under his regulations to deduct from the individual's wages the 56 days' leave pay and allowances granted to such a man on discharge.

Mr. Bevin

Apart from regulations on procedure, I have made no regulations under the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act.

Mr. Bellenger

Could I ask my right hon. Friend to say that it is improper, when an employer takes on a man and gives him work, that the employer should have at his disposal the 56 days' leave pay and allowances, if the man takes up work before the 56 days have expired?

Mr. Bevin

I would not like it to be assumed that any employer has ever done it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Well, if evidence is brought to me that any employer has done it, I should advise the man in question to go to the Reinstatement Commitee immediately, which is the proper procedure, but I do not like to hear general statements that this sort of thing is going on, when I myself have never heard of it.

Mr. Bellenger

The Question was based on it.

12. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider publishing a booklet combining information as to all the concessions and awards for ex-Servicemen and women on leaving the Services, to include pension rights for themselves and their families, their position as to post-war credit, training and education schemes, gratuities, demobilisation, grants for setting up in business, etc.

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir. A booklet on release and resettlement will be issued shortly to all serving members of the Armed Forces.

Sir L. Lyle

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, will he see that this booklet is very complete and gives all the points, because it will prove of immense service to ex-Servicemen and women?

Mr. Bevin

It will be as complete as possible, but I am in a little doubt whether the whole of the points are in it, because if we did not get it printed before some of the decisions were taken, we would never get it printed and published.

Mr. Driberg

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the officials preparing this booklet consulted the comparable American booklet to which I drew his attention some time ago, and which is very complete and illuminating?

Mr. Bevin

I cannot answer that question off-hand.