– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 August 1947.
Mr Cyril Osborne
, Louth Borough
12:00,
12 August 1947
asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the complaint from the Maidenhead Guardians Committee that an applicant for relief had been directed by the employment exchange to canvass for a football pool company; and if he will issue instructions to prevent this occurring again.
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
So far as I can ascertain, there is no truth whatever in the implication made in the hon. Member's Question.
Mr Cyril Osborne
, Louth Borough
If I send to the Minister a complaint received from a member of the committee, who is also a local magistrate, and who states that the complaint can be substantiated by other members of the committee, will he have the matter thoroughly investigated?
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
I can only deal with the Question on the Order Paper. I have not received any complaint from the Maidenhead guardians, the local Member of Parliament, or any other person. I have not directed any man to such work, because I have no power of direction; neither have I submitted any such man for such a job. Further, I cannot give an undertaking that this will not occur again, because it has not occurred.
Mr Cyril Osborne
, Louth Borough
Is the Minister quite clear in his mind that I did not say he had directed this man, but that one of his servants had done so?
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
I have given an absolute denial. None of my staff has made any such direction, no such complaint has been received by us, and no man has been submitted by us for such a job.
Mr William Adams
, Hammersmith South
Is the Minister not aware that he has correspondence from me in his office dealing with a similar complaint in Hammersmith?
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
What has happened in Hammersmith has not been brought to my attention. I am dealing with Maidenhead.
Sir Jocelyn Lucas
, Portsmouth South
Is it not a fact that many complaints have been received from Portsmouth that girls who apply at employment exchanges are given jobs as canvassers for football pools?
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
I cannot answer about Portsmouth. I have replied to the Question which has been asked and I cannot answer others without having actual cases before me.
Sir Jocelyn Lucas
, Portsmouth South
It has been admitted by the right hon. Gentleman in the House.
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