§ Mr. Purbrickasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are a great number of able-bodied people who are drawing unemployment pay or public assistance; and, if he is unable to find work for them in their particular class why does he not utilise them in work of military or national importance?
§ Mr. BevinI am not aware that there are a great number of able-bodied persons drawing unemployment benefit or assistance, other than those temporarily thrown out of employment by the cessation of non-essential work and a certain number who still remain in the pockets of unemployment which were allowed to develop before the war. The former group should in most cases be rapidly reabsorbed into war industries. As regards the latter, I have instituted, in co-operation with representatives of employers and workers, a special and individual review of all who have been unemployed for a month or more.