§ Mr. THOMASasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a plumber applied through the Labour Exchange at Northallerton for employment on munition work, being anxious to serve his country, and that he received a reply, dated 14th August, 1915, informing him that applications for war munitions work must be made by workmen who are in employment and that unemployment was a disqualification; and, having regard to the effect that such a decision must have upon those anxious to register for war work, will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr. RUNCIMANMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I understand that the Labour Exchange manager was under the erroneous impression that the man in question was an applicant for enrolment as a war munition volunteer, and I am informed that the manager's letter was intended merely to convey the information that only employed persons are eligible for enrolment. The reply, however, was unfortunately worded, and the attention of the officer is being called to the matter.