§ Captain WATERHOUSEasked the Minister of Labour how many firms in the city of Leicester are on the King's Roll; and what is the minimum number of disabled ex-service men that they are pledged to employ and the number that they actually do employ?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe number of firms in Leicester on the King's Roll is 297. Their aggregate total staff is 48,584, including 2,713 disabled ex-Service men, or an aggregate percentage of 5.6. The normal percentage for enrolment is 5.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEasked the Minister of Labour what efforts are being made to enrol those firms who are not at present on the King's Roll?
§ Mr. BETTERTONSpecial local committees, with which the head of the local authority is usually associated, are continuing their efforts to obtain the enrolment of additional firms on the King's Roll. There are 243 such committees throughout the country. In areas where a special committee is not regarded as necessary, sub-committees of the Employment Committee carry on the work. The efforts of all committees are co-ordinated by the King's Roll National Council which meets periodically in London. The committees carry out their work in ways which they regard as best suited to the circumstances of the locality, but generally by meetings, by circular appeals and by personal canvassing. The number of local authorities, Royal Warrant holders and public utility companies of any appreciable size not on the 1005W Roll is now only 32, 23 and 47 respectively. Special efforts are, however, continued, from time to time, both locally and centrally, to secure the enrolment of these employers and of any others who appear to be such as should be on the Roll. As my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, Government contracts are restricted, save in exceptional circumstances, to enrolled firms. This practice is also followed by nearly 600 public bodies.