PRIORITY OF RELEASE. (Hansard, 19 November 1918)

HC Deb 19 November 1918 vol 110 cc3354-5W 3354W

§ Captain CARR-GOMM
asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the possibility that by the time the bulk of the men who have been serving at the different fronts are demobilised in this country they will find it very difficult to obtain good employment owing to the fact that such posts will have 3355W been already filled by the demobilised men from munition and other Government Departments and also men demobilised from the Home Army; whether there is any remedy devised to meet this contingency in the Government scheme of demobilisation; and, if not, if he will state what he intends to do in the matter?

§ Mr. BECK
As has been announced already, pivotal men who are serving in the Home Army or abroad, will, as far as military necessities permit, receive priority of release, while steps will be taken to release as early as possible, according to the order of their industrial groups, those men who have posts waiting for them.
These arrangements should go far to meet the point which the hon. Member has in mind, but I would add that the number of good posts available should not be regarded as a fixed quantity, but as a number subject to continuous expansion with the expansion of industry as the process of resettlement is continued and completed.

Mr. DUNDAS WHITE
asked the Minister of Reconstruction whether he has communicated with the Labour Exchange in Scotland with a view to facilitating the release of pivotal men for industries in which they are specially required and, if so, whether forms have been issued; and what other steps have been taken for this purpose?

§ Mr. BECK
Employers who wish to ensure that men serving with the Forces who desire to return to their employment are earmarked for early release, should obtain from the nearest Employment Exchange a postcard (E.D. 406), enter on it each man's full name, unit, regimental number, and the theatre of war or command where he is now serving, and return it to the Exchange. These forms (E.D. 406) are also obtainable from Employment Exchanges throughout Scotland.