Mr. Creech Jones:

asked the Minister of Labour how many appointments carrying salaries of £400 and over have been made since 25th August last, from his departmental central register for technical, administrative and other appointments in respect of each of the following Departments: Ministries of Food, Supply, Economic Warfare, Information, Shipping, Air, Admiralty and War Office?

The number of appointments made through the central register to the Departments mentioned by the hon. Member is 1,927, allocated as follows: Admiralty 354, Air Ministry 241, Ministry of Economic Warfare 136, Ministry of Food 136, Ministry of Information 89, Ministry of Shipping 8, Ministry of Supply 516, War Office 447. Most of these appointments are to posts which have a maximum salary of not less than £400 per annum, but precise particulars of the salaries are not in my possession.

Mr. Creech Jones:

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that Government Departments making appointments now are making use of the register?

Yes, the recent figures I have given show that there is a gathering momentum.

Miss Rathbone:

asked the Minister of Labour whether steps have been taken to inform all bodies concerning in Government work, whether directly under Government Departments or under local authorities, or indirectly through Government contracts, of the existence of the central register and of the supplementary register; and whether these bodies have been requested to use these registers when requiring employés of types who do not usually register with the ordinary Employment Exchanges?

I think the existence of the central register, which was compiled primarily for the use of Government Departments and consists mainly of persons in employment, is by now well-known as a result of statements made in this House. All Government Departments have been required to use the central register and the supplementary register, and I am taking steps to bring to the notice of other employing bodies the facilities offered by the supplementary register.