asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether as a matter of practice employment exchanges do not submit to prospective employers the names of N.C.O.s and men during the period of their 91 days pre-discharge leave; and, if not, why.

Soldiers on pre-discharge leave are still in receipt of Army pay and in common with other employed persons who register for alternative employment are submitted to a prospective employer only if a sufficient number of persons actually in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit, in that order, are not available to afford the prospective employer a reasonable selection.

Persons, including those on pre-discharge leave, who have given not less than five years' service in the permanent Defence Force are, however, given preference in submissions for employment in subordinate posts in the service of the State.

Are they given that preference during the 91 days in question?

No.

Does it not seem to the Parliamentary Secretary rather a hardship, in view of the fact that this House desired unemployment exchanges to be regarded more as employment exchanges than unemployment exchanges that men who have served the State and are now seeking civilian employment are effectively deprived of using the employment machinery of these exchanges to get a job?

I do not agree with the Deputy. They are in receipt of Army pay during this period. The attention of employers is drawn to the fact that they have had Army service.

Am I not correct in saying that the whole feeling of this House is that what are commonly called unemployment exchanges should be looked upon by employers and unemployed as employment exchanges? Is it not a hardship that men who have served in the Army and are on their pre-discharge leave and want to get jobs are effectively excluded from using the machinery of the exchanges to get employment?

This is developing into a debate. That is not a question.

I am putting it to the Parliamentary Secretary that he might amend the regulation and permit the names of men on pre-discharge leave to be submitted to employers.

They are not actually discharged.

Why stand on this "pre" qualification? Is it not true that this House desires these exchanges to be used by employers and the unemployed? Is it not true that these exchanges are designed to bring employers and unemployed together? Why should these men be excluded? Will the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister to consider this matter?

I will.

I am much obliged.