HC Deb 23 November 1939 vol 353 c1438W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider, in conjunction with the three Defence Ministers, the establishment of a special corps to include architects, surveyors, mechanical and civil engineers who have lost their business, with a view to assisting in the national effort, and to provide these men with employment?

Mr. E. Brown

Persons with suitable-qualifications in the professional categories mentioned by the hon. Member, are eligible for inclusion in the Central Register, from which candidates are submitted for vacancies created by additional wartime requirements in the Government service and elsewhere. In addition, I am at the moment considering what supplementary machinery is necessary to record the qualifications and experience of persons not normally in touch with the Employment Exchange servicie and to bring to their notice vacancies as they occur. Pending experience of the results of this new measure action such as suggested by the hon. Member does not appear desirable, but I shall continue to watch the situation with close attention.