§ Mr. NIELDasked the Prime Minister what are the definite functions of the Man-Power Board; and whether, as it is outside the functions of that body to arrange for the acceptance and proper disposal of the many offers of voluntary assistance made by men of education and business experience who are over military age at present refused by the various public Departments, he will set up a Committee for the specific object of organising and utilising these offers of voluntary assistance in aid of the country in the present emergency and at the same time effect economy of public money?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe main functions of the Man-Power Distribution Board are, according to their terms of reference, as follows
To determine all questions arising between Government Departments relating to the allocation or economic 217W utilisation of man-power for the purpose of the successful prosecution of the War and, in order to give effect to its determination, to direct the Government Departments concerned to create the machinery necessary to co-ordinate their activities in regard to the distribution or utilisation of men and women.The answer to the second part of the question is that the Board of Trade have established such an organisation in the Professional Classes War Service Register, and the Man-Power Board have requested the Board of Trade to take steps to increase the usefulness of this registry.