HC Deb 04 April 1950 vol 473 cc995-6
38. Major Legge-Bourke

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-Service men with no fixed abode have applied during the last 12 months, or other convenient period, to employment exchanges in England and Wales for work; how many have been placed in permanent and temporary employment, respectively; and what steps he is taking to deal with those for whom no employment is available, either in the district where they apply or in the foreseeable future elsewhere.

Mr. Isaacs

The information asked for in the first and second parts of the Question is not available. As regards the third part, there are arrangements for liaison between employment exchanges and reception centres of the National Assistance Board designed to assist the resettlement of vagrants by finding them employment, either immediately or after industrial rehabilitation or vocational training when this is needed.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between ex-Service men who have no fixed abode as a result of the war and those who have been vagrants for a long time? Will he also bear in mind that the instructions given to the National Assistance authorities

Duration of unemployment Wisbech Ely Chatteris March
2 weeks or less 31 5 37 5
Over 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks 37 20 7 2
Over 4 weeks and up to 6 weeks 16 15 10 4
Over 6 weeks and up to 8 weeks 48 39 41 8
Over 8 weeks and up to 13 weeks 36 61 5
Over 13 weeks and up to 26 weeks 24 28 2
Over 26 weeks and up to 39 weeks 6 1
Over 39 weeks and up to 52 weeks 1 1
Over 52 weeks

and to his Ministry's authorities are that they should not encourage with help men in this category?

Mr. Isaacs

That goes far beyond the original Question. We have a record of ex-Service and non-Service men, and when a man registers and gives an address we do not ask, "Is this your permanent address?" Therefore, we do not know whether he is a vagrant or not.

Major Legge-Bourke

Is the Minister aware that a good many ex-Service men circulating in the Fens have no fixed abode and that no adequate assistance is being given to them by the Assistance Board? I hope he will do something about it.

Mr. Isaacs

That does not come within my Department.

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