HC Deb 31 March 1955 vol 539 cc539-40
37. Mr. R. Bell

asked the Minister of Labour what success has been achieved by the measures taken by his Department to help the resettlement in civil life of retired officers from Her Majesty's Forces.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Sir Walter Monckton)

I am glad to say that the appointments offices and local offices have achieved a good deal of success in their efforts to help retired Regular officers to resettle themselves satisfactorily in civilian life. There is still considerable difficulty in finding suitable employment for older ex-officers, particularly those without specialised knowledge or experience which can be suitably used in civilian employment. Under the guidance of the Advisory Council on the Relationship between Employment in the Services and Civilian Life, we are doing all that we can to assist them. The booklet on resettlement in civilian employment of Regular officers is now available, and I have placed a copy in the Library.

Mr. Bell

Would my right hon. and learned Friend give any figures indicating the proportion of successes in these cases, and also approximately the total number of people passing through the hands of his Department in this way?

Sir W. Monckton

I could give the figure, with notice, of the number that has passed through the Department. At the moment I can say that during 1954 656 persons were placed in employment by the offices to which I have referred.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman see whether, in the event of any appointments being made in the future in connection with the Civil Defence organisation, it will be possible to employ some of these retired officers?

Sir W. Monckton

That is a suggestion meriting careful consideration, which 1 will give to it.