HC Deb 18 February 1920 vol 125 cc910-1W
Mr. GRUNDY

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether arrangements were over made between the War Office and the Ministry of Labour for the employment of ex-service men on works of reconstruction arising out of military use of buildings, &c.; whether he is aware that a number of painters so employed were discharged from the Royal Dublin Society a week before Christmas; whether the reason for the discharge was the non-payment of money due from the War Office for works, done or on account of a decision to withhold payment of any further money; whether he is aware that these ex-service men are still unemployed and that in one case the man's pension was reduced because of the employment upon which he was engaged and which was summarily ended; and whether further efforts will be made to provide for the re-employment of these men?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I am making enquiry, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course.

Major HILLS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is considerable delay in giving industrial training to disabled soldiers and sailors; whether the number awaiting training in the Northern region is 1,600; whether the local war pensions war committees have a responsibility in the matter; and, if they have not, will he take steps to make the fact clear in order that the local war pensions committee may not be blamed for a delay for which they are not responsible?

Sir R. H ORNE

I am aware that there has been delay in the provision of adequate training facilities for disabled ex-service men in the Northern area, but, as explained in the reply which I gave yesterday to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Chester-le-Street Division, it is anticipated that the situation will be much improved in the near future, when the large training centres at Birtley and Walker are in full operation. The local war pensions committees have now no responsibility for the provision of training facilities, except in the case of those ex-service men who require concurrent medical treatment.