Physically Unfit Persons
27.
asked the Minister of Labour whether all men and women who are physically unfit for active service will, wherever possible, be given some Civil Defence part-time or full-time job which they will be expected to carry out.
In the event of war, it may be assumed that steps would be taken to ensure that men of military age unfit for active service, and women without domestic responsibilities, were employed to the best advantage in the national interest. The claims of Civil Defence would certainly not be overlooked.
Personal Case
29.
asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement of the circumstances in which Mr. R. W. Hargreaves, 27, Lincoln Street, Leeds, 9, was placed in grade I after a medical examination on 30th June, 1950, in view of the fact that there was evidence showing that Mr. Hargreaves had been advised not to undertake strenuous exercise for two years, and is now being invalided from the Royal Air Force.
I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
is my hon. Friend aware that I had a letter from him on this subject last August? Does not he consider it not only a waste of public money but an injury to the men concerned to treat them in this manner?
Yes, Sir, but I also know that in the same letter we pointed out that this man was placed in medical grade I on the finding of the consultant to whom he had been referred by the chairman of the medical board.
Building Workers
31.
asked the Minister of Labour what is his most recent estimate of the number of building workers in the Armed Forces and employed in working for the Armed Forces.
I regret that this information is not available.
Is the Minister aware that I was told only a month ago that there were 20,000 building workers in the Armed Forces? Will he convey to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour the suggestion that just as miners have been released to dig more coal, we need the building workers out to build more houses?