Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 9th May, 1952
Employment
Remploy Factory, Stockton-On-Tees
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed by the Remploy Factory at Stockton-on-Tees; and what is the profit or loss per disabled employee per week.
The number of employees is 44. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I do not think it would be in the best interests either of the Company or of the disabled employees that information of this kind about individual factories should be published. The profit or loss on any factory varies from time to time according to the trading position.
Borough Exchange
asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed men and unemployed women registered at the Borough Employment Exchange on the latest most convenient date in April.
916 males and 301 females at 21st April.
Convicted Dockers
asked the Minister of Labour how far it is the normal practice under the dock workers' employment scheme regulations, for dockers, convicted in a civil court of stealing in circumstances not connected with their work, to be dismissed from their employment.
I understand that the National Dock Labour Board have not laid down any general rules on this point, but that each case is decided on its merits by the appropriate local dock labour board, subject to a right of appeal to an Appeal Tribunal.
Appointments Department (Placement Costs)
asked the Minister of Labour what is the cost to the State per placement through the Appointments Department of his Ministry.
The staffs of appointments offices are engaged on a number of inter-related activities and it is not practicable to analyse separately the cost of placing on any realistic basis.
Civil Servants (State Security)
asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that where a Minister has ruled that prima facie a civil servant should not, because of Communist or Fascist associations, be employed in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State, the case will continue to be referred to three advisers before a final decision is taken.
Yes, under their existing terms of reference, which, for convenience, are set out below. I am also glad to say that the three advisers appointed by the last Government are willing to continue to serve, i.e., Sir Thomas Gardiner, G.B.E., K.C.B. (Chairman); Sir Frederick Leggett, C.B.; Mr. J. W. Bowen, C.B.E., J.P.In addition, it has been arranged that Sir Maurice Holmes, G.B.E., K.C.B., who formerly served as one of the three advisers, should act in this capacity when one of the other advisers is unable to attend.
Terms of Reference
1. It has been stated that no one who is believed to be:
is to be employed in connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State.
2. You have been appointed to advise Ministers in any cases referred to you, whether in your opinion their prima fade ruling that a civil servant comes under (i) or (ii) above is or is not substantiated. The decision on what employment is to be regarded as involving "connection with work the nature of which is vital to the security of the State" is one not for you but for Ministers in charge of Departments.
3. Your functions do not extend beyond advising the Minister whether the prima facie case has or has not been substantiated. You are not concerned with the action which he may decide to take in relation to the matter.