Mr. PEN NEFATHERasked the Minister of Labour if there are any Government Departments, railways, or local authorities which are not employing the percentage of disabled ex-Service men required to qualify private employers for inclusion in the National Roll of Honour; and, if so, will he give the names of such Government Departments, railways, or local authorities?
§ Sir R. HORNEAs regards the civil Departments of the Government, other than industrial establishments, the percentage of disabled men employed at the end of March was very nearly 5 per cent. It is estimated that by the beginning of December the percentage of disabled men employed will amount to over 8 per cent. of the total employed. The position is being regularly reviewed. The arrangements with regard to Government industrial establishments have not yet been completed, but the information now avail- 319W able indicates that the number of disabled men employed is over 5 per cent. The Railway Executive Committee are prepared to do all they can to find work for disabled ex-Service men. It is estimated that the railways are employing between 3 and 4 per cent. of disabled men, but the Committee are unable at present to guarantee the employment of a definite percentage, owing to the necessity for reabsorption of men returning from the forces. The position will be reviewed later. As regards local authorities, the position is that, up to the moment, about eighty have been included in the King's National Roll, and I am sending a list of their names to the hon. Member. Many other authorities, however, have the matter under consideration, and, in view of the fact that the scheme was launched little more than a month ago, and has been in abeyance during the railway strike, I do not think there is any reason to be dissatisfied with the progress made.