§ 15. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Labour approximately what percentage of men and women, respectively, among the registered unemployed are recognised as unemployable; and what percentage of applicants over 65 years of age who apply for employment secured permanent or temporary jobs, respectively, during the past 12 months.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNone of the men or women registered as unemployed are classified as unemployable. With regard to the second part of the Question, I regret that the statistical information asked for is not available.
§ Mr. SorensenIs it not true that after a time it is recognised that some of these unfortunate registrants are in fact unemployable? How long are they kept on the books?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThere is a special procedure—which I shall be very pleased to explain to the hon. Member—for taking a man who is 100 per cent. disabled off the books of the employment exchange. Then he comes into a more favourable position in regard to National Assistance. So far as we are concerned, as long as we keep people on the books we take care to ensure that they are employable.