§ 13. Mr. Atkinsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about his plans for the advisory board on the resettlement of ex-regular Service men.
§ Mr. HeathThe Advisory Board was appointed in July, 1957, for a two year period and re-appointed last year for a further twelve months. As the arrangements for resettlement are now operating smoothly, and ex-regulars are being readily accepted in commerce and industry, the special advice of the Board is no longer required. I have therefore decided, after consultation with the Chairman, that it should not be re-appointed. My Departmental machinery for assisting ex-Regulars will continue unchanged and the Resettlement Committees in Scotland, Wales and 430 the regions of England have been re-appointed.
I would like to thank Sir Frederic Hooper and the members of the Board for the time and effort which they have so willingly and successfully devoted to this work.
§ Mr. AtkinsIs my right hon. Friend aware that his expressions of gratitude to Sir Frederick Hooper will be widely shared throughout the House? Can he say whether this action will in any way affect the voluntary associations which help ex-Regulars into employment?
§ Mr. HeathNo, Sir. The relations with voluntary associations will remain exactly the same, and we shall continue our present close co-operation with them.