§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many workmen are being discharged in order to find room for ex-Service men, thus in tensifying the feeling against the stoppage of the unemployment donation to civilians; whether this point was considered before the Government came to their decision; whether steps can yet be taken to prevent the anomaly which will arise as a result of the Government's decision, whereby an ex-Service man receiving un employment donation will be given work at the expense of a man who, upon discharge, will not receive assistance during unemployment; and whether ex-Service men are now being put into the positions of other workmen in order to save the payment of unemployment donation?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe cases in which workmen are being discharged in order to find room for ex-Service men are, so far as I am aware, principally those in1664W which the ex-Service men are returning to their former employers, and the right hon. Member will, I am sure, agree that ex-Service men have the stronger claim to employment if any discharges have to be made. Apart from the stoppages caused by trade disputes, I have no reason to suppose that any considerable number of workpeople need remain unemployed at the present time. The saving of donation is not the motive underlying the Government's policy towards the problem of finding work for ex-Service men.
§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to resolutions passed at large meetings of unemployed workmen in Newcastle, Manchester, London, and else where protesting against the discontinuance of unemployment donations to civilians and indicating the amount of distress which at present exists as the result of unemployment; arid whether, in view of the assurances which have recently been given to this House that everything possible would be done to relieve distress due to unemployment, he can now state specifically the steps proposed to be taken to deal with the situation?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware of these resolutions. The question raised is being examined, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the matter.