§ Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Labour how many ex-soldiers are at present unemployed, and what steps are being taken by the Ministry in regard to this matter?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe number of ex-Service men claiming donation at the employment exchanges at 6th February was 339,000, a decrease of over 52,000 as compared with the corresponding total for 16th January, which was the highest recorded since the previous May. There is reason to believe that there has been a further decrease since 6th February, but complete figures are not yet available for a later date. This substantial reduction which, it will be observed, has taken place in the period since the settlement of the ironmoulders' dispute, gives reason for hoping that the number will be considerably less in a few weeks' time. The Department are continuing their efforts to find employment for ex-Service men with the assistance of Local Employment Committees and others, and in particular special attention is being paid to the National Scheme for the Employment of Disabled Men.