§ Lord H. CAVENDISH - BENTINCKasked the Minister of Labour if he will state how many men there are in receipt of high disability pensions; and, in view of the fact that a great proportion of these men will be incapable of taking their places in industrial life, whether the Government contemplate affording them facilities for employment under favourable and suitable conditions in which they would be capable of contributing to their own livelihood?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid it is the fact that notwithstanding our Training Scheme, and the generally patriotic attitude of employers towards disabled men, there are a number—probably a very large number—of disabled ex-service men who will probably never be able to obtain permanent employment under the ordinary industrial conditions. On 22nd September last I appointed an Inter-Departmental Committee, including representatives of the Employment and Training Departments, and of the Ministry of Pensions, with my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry, as President, to consider the problem presented by these men, and examine the question of what provision it may be necessary to make for them. My hon. Friend promises me an early report, and I need not say that it will receive out closest consideration.