§ 53. Mr. Thurtleasked the Minister of Labour when a factory designed to provide employment for severely disabled persons is likely to be in operation in the London area; and who is the appropriate authority to whom applications for employment in such a factory should be ad dressed.
§ Mr. IsaacsOne such factory, for tuberculosis persons only, is already in operation at 163, Tower Bridge Road. The establishment of others depends upon the acquisition of sites and premises, the search for which has proved particularly difficult in the London area. I hope, however, that negotiations for premises at present in progress will result in further factories being opened in London within the next few months. Applications for employment should be made to the Employment Exchange nearest the applicant's home.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs my right hon. Friend aware that many ex-Service men have been looking forward hopefully for a long time to being employed in these factories, and that they are getting very disheartened at the slowness with which the scheme is being put into operation?
§ Mr. IsaacsI know that that is a fact, but the difficulties are those which I have set out. I hope that these men will not be completely disheartened, because it is the intention of the Government to establish these factories—we have done it elsewhere—as widely as possible. In spite of the present circumstances, they have priority.
§ Mr. WarbeyHas my right hon. Friend taken medical advice on the siteing of this factory for tubercular persons, and can he tell us whether his advisers consider that the damp and smoky atmosphere of Tower Bridge Road is suitable?
§ Mr. IsaacsAs a resident of the area adjacent to Tower Bridge Road for a number of years, I did not think it necessary to take medical advice.