Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that demobilised officers who have recently applied to the Appointments and Resettlement Department, Horrex's Hotel, have been told there are no openings for employment unless they can find a firm themselves; whether he is aware of the destitute condition of the majority of these men; and whether he will take immediate steps to set up machinery which will help them to find suitable employment?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am not aware that the staff of the Appointments Department at Horrex's Hotel have ever made such state-70W meats as are attributed to them in the first part of the question, but I will make inquiries if the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of any case or cases that he has in mind. With regard to the second part of the question, 1 am aware that a number of demobilised officers are in straitened circumstances. Every effort is being made to procure appointments for those of them who have applied to the Ministry of Labour; but it will be realised that the Ministry has no power to create vacancies, or to force an employer to accept candidates submitted to him.