§ Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Labour how many employers of labour have not yet taken back the men whom they employed prior to enlistment; and, if such is not available, will he institute an immediate inquiry?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not possible to state how many employers of labour have not yet taken back the men whom they employed prior to enlistment. As my hon. Friend, however, will be aware, I appointed in March last a Committee to consider the best means of facilitating the re-employment of ex-service men, and to make recommendations with regard thereto.
This Committee has made an interim report which was presented to the House on 12th August last, in which they stated that they were satisfied that employers generally have fulfilled their obligations with regard to the re-instatement of ex-service men formerly in their employment. This will be obvious from the fact that 5,000,000 ex-service men and over 200,000 ex-officers have already been absorbed into employment. It was further stated, however, that this was not universally the case, but action has already been taken, on the recommendations of this Committee, to secure that everything that is possible to effect the re-instatement of ex-service men is done. As the Report of the Committee followed an exhaustive inquiry by them into the position, I should doubt whether further general inquiry is necessary, but individual oases of difficulty will certainly continue to receive the special attention of the Local Employment Committees and of my Department generally.