HC Deb 15 December 1919 vol 123 cc81-2W
Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the reasons why over 44,000 disabled ex-Service men are still unemployed; and what further steps he proposes to take to secure employment for these men?

Sir R. HORNE

The number of disabled men on the registers of the Employment Exchanges has been in the neighbourhood of 40,000 for some months past. It was about 42,000 on the 10th December. On the other hand, there have been some 44,000 fresh registrations of such men in the past three mouths; and the fact that the figure of current registrations has remained practically stationary is in the circumstances an indication that steady progress is being made with the task of finding work for disabled men. The most active efforts are being made by the Employment Exchanges and Local Employment Committees to find employment for disabled men through the operation of the national scheme and otherwise, and these will be continued without intermission.