§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the names of 2,550 ex-officers and ex-service men still remain on the list of unemployed in connection with the Appointments Department of the Associated Chamber of Commerce alone; whether any full record of unemployed ex-officers and ex-service men of similar education is kept by the Ministry of Labour or any Government Department; whether any special efforts are being extended beyond periodical appeals in order to place these gallant men; and what is the nature of such plans?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour maintains a register of unemployed ex-officers and ex-service men of similar education whose unemployment can directly be attributed to their War service. No record of unemployed ex-officers and ex-service men of similar education whose unemployment is attributable to other causes is maintained by the Ministry of Labour. The number 2,550 to which my hon. Friend refers relates to those registered with the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, though the number has now fallen to 2,524. The corresponding figure at the end of June last year2484W was 6,306, and at the beginning of January this year 4,532. My right hon. Friend recently made an appeal through the Press to employers to find openings for these ex-officers and men, and has also appealed to the Association of Chambers of Commerce and to the Federation of British Industries, both of which organisations have promised to bring the appeal to the notice of their members. In addition, there is a large number of voluntary boards throughout the country who interview applicants of this type and endeavour to find openings for them by their own personal efforts. Individual applicants are also advertised in the Press free of charge.