Captain BENNasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed ex-soldiers have been registered in the burgh of Leith; and what steps he is taking in connection with the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn the 30th July, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of ex-service men registered for employment at the Leith Employment Exchange was 319. The Local Employment Committee, which is representative of employers and trade unions in the Leith district, is in close touch with the situation, and is doing everything that is possible to minimise unemployment. But there is considerable difficulty at the present time in finding new openings owing to slackness of trade in the district, especially in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the whole problem of the unemployed ex-service officers and men is constantly before us.