§ 5. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Minister of Labour what instructions have been given to the Coal Board, B.O.A.C.and B.E.A., urging them to give any form of preference to ex-Servicemen in employment.
§ Mr. IsaacsNone, Sir.
§ Colonel HutchisonWill the right hon. Gentleman say how that squares with his often expressed sympathy for ex-Service men in employment in industry in general?
§ Mr. Isaacs; It squares entirely with the policy originally established by the Coalition Government, and supported by this Government, that there should not be special preference in employment for ex-Service men, but that they should take advantage of the resettlement facilities offered to them under the Acts of Parliament.
§ Colonel HutchisonDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to press his colleagues in charge of the various nationalised enterprises to give a fair proportion of employment to ex-Service men? Is he just going to leave them either to sink or to swim?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is not the interpretation which should be placed upon my statement.