§ SIR FRANCIS CHANNINGI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered the facts disclosed in the Return of Proceedings of the Distress Committees for 1907–8; that 14 per cent. of the applications were not investigated at all because only such cases were investigated as work could be found for on relief works or otherwise; that of the 54,613 applicants found to be qualified, employment could only be offered to 41,459; that of these 41,459 no less than 5,469 persons, for various reasons, did not take up the work offered; and whether, having regard to these and other facts, he will, in the orders or regulations to be issued, encourage the Distress Committees to provide, so far as possible, a greater variety of work specially suited to the industrial training and capacities of groups of workers, and will do all in his power to create or expand, without waiting for legislation next year, further facilities for thus drafting men off to the skilled or unskilled employment for which they are specially qualified, either by systematic organisation of labour exchanges or by enabling the Distress Committees, where possible, to make direct arrangements with private employers to take on men for special work in factories or on works temporarily out of operation.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI will bear in mind my hon. friend's suggestion. Legislation would be needed to provide for the organisation of labour exchanges on mutual lines. The Distress Committees are at present empowered to arrange with private employers to take on men.