§ Mr. CURRANasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the prevalence of unemployment, he will issue the same instructions as he did last year for the employment of auxiliary labour during the Christmas pressure?
§ Mr. JOHN JOHNSONalso asked the Postmaster-General if he can state the number of unemployed persons who were engaged by the Post Office authorities at Christmas, 1908; if the venture was a success; and if he will continue the same procedure for 1909?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Sydney Buxton)I will answer these two questions together. As regards the figures asked for by the hon. Member for Gateshead, I could not supply them without considerable labour. But my specific instructions were that genuinely unemployed men should be, as far as possible, employed; and I know that these instructions were carried out. I have already issued instructions to the Controller of the London Postal Service to the postmasters and others concerned similar to those of last year. They are shortly as follows: "The Postmaster-General desires to remind you that in selecting men for casual assistance during the Christmas pressure it is desirable to engage men who are genuinely unemployed, if suitable men can be found, in preference to those already in work. Married men should be preferred." Where a labour exchange, or if there be no labour exchange, where a local distress committee exists, communication should be opened with the exchange or committee, and a certain number of the men employed should be selected from those recommended by them. It will be desirable to point out to the exchange or local committee the importance of recommending men of good character and suitable for the work.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs it expected that more men will be employed during the forthcoming Christmas than is normally the case?
§ Mr. BUXTONI cannot say at present. The circular issued is on the same lines to that issued last year.
§ Mr G. N. BARNESCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us who are men genuinely unemployed, having regard to the fact that there may be no work for men who want it?
§ Mr. BUXTONI should say generally if I were to give a definition that it was men who really were anxious to obtain work and were unable to get it.
§ Mr. BARNESIs it intended to set up a new inquisition by the Post Office in regard to these men?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not understand what is meant by "a new inquisition." We receive applications for the work, and those who apply have to fill up a form to show where they have been employed before in order that we may be able to see if they are really men who, as I said, really desire to work, and are not mere loafers.
§ Mr. CURRANMay I ask if an age limit has been set up?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe age limit was a little lower, and I have raised it to 45. We have found that is about the age we can go to. But if I find active men about that age we might consider their case.
§ Mr. W. THORNEAre there any men out of employment who would not work if they got the opportunity?
§ Mr. BUXTONSo far as we can, we employ those whom we know are used to the work.
§ Lord BALCARRESWhat is the nature of the preference given to those applicants whose applications come from places where labour exchanges do not exist?
§ Mr. BUXTONI said, "Where labour exchanges or distress committees exist." It does seem to me that these having been created under Statute, and being under the control of the Local Government Board, we ought as far as possible to consult them in regard to the men we should employ.