§ 17. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed ex-Service officers registered at the offices of the Appointments Board.
§ Mr. IsaacsAt 16th September, 1946, there were 9,910 ex-officers, men and women, from the three Services and the Merchant Navy registered as unemployed at the offices of the Appointments Department.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIn view of the urgency of this matter, and because the figures are not decreasing, will the Minister appoint a commission to look into this, and alleviate the circumstances in which these men now find themselves?
§ Mr. IsaacsI think it is right that the opposite figures should be looked at. During the six months ended 16th September, 3,850 ex-officers were found 6 employment through this Department. Undoubtedly it is due to the success of finding men jobs that we are having such a large number of men registering for employment.
§ Mr. MurrayIs there no one else who can do these jobs besides officers?
§ Mr. Martin LindsayDoes the right hon. Gentleman think he is so successful, in view of the figures he read out, when one in three have found a job and three in one have not?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe answer is that nearly 4,000 have been found jobs.
§ 18. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Labour how many other ranks ex-Servicemen were registered at the Appointments Board as unemployed, at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. IsaacsAt 16th September, 1946, there were 2,978 other ranks ex-Service-men and women registered as unemployed at the offices of the Appointments Department.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyAgain, will the Minister appoint a commission to go into this matter?
§ Mr. IsaacsAgain, I would point out that 1,776 have been found jobs. While the work is not succeeding to the extent we should all wish, it is proving a great boon to these men, not able to find work otherwise.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the Minister appoint a commission?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir.