§ SIR C. DALRYMPLE (Ipswich)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether there is anything to prevent a Town Council from constituting a labour bureau; and whether the expenses could be defrayed out of local funds?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe Local Government Board inform me that 1.0 powers have been conferred on Municipal Corporations, Vestries, or District Boards in the Metropolis, or Local Boards, enabling them to set up and maintain labour bureaux. A possible exception exists where there is a surplus of the borough fund after providing for all the purposes to which it is required to be applied under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1832, or otherwise by law. I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board as to the desirability of the enlargement of these powers.
§ *SIR C. W. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Metropolitan Vestries do maintain such bureaux successfully at the present time?
§ MR.MUNDELLAThat may be so. I was asked what were their legal powers, and I have given the answer furnished me by the Local Government Board.
§ SIR C. DALRYMPLEDo the Government contemplate legislation on the subject?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI am conferring with my right hon. Friend with a view to the enlargement of the powers of Local Authorities in this respect.