HC Deb 06 April 1910 vol 16 cc433-4
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil for the 5th April?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)

I propose to print with the Votes a statement giving certain particulars with regard to the higher appointments under the Labour Exchanges Act, but, as I have already informed my hon. Friend, it is not the custom to publish an official statement as to the qualifications and previous experience of officers appointed to situations in the public service, and I see no reason for departing from the rule in the present instance.

Mr. SCANLAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of Labour Exchanges and sub-offices of exchanges already opened in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, respectively, under the authority of the recent Act?

Mr. BUXTON

The number and distribution of the Labour Exchanges and sub-offices actually opened by the Board of Trade under the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, are as follows: England, eighty-one; Scotland, seven; Ireland, six; Wales, four; making a total of ninety-eight.

Mr. CLYNES

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information of instances where the local authorities have discouraged the opening of those exchanges?

Mr. BUXTON

There was one case. If my hon. Friend will give me notice, I will inquire, but as far as I am aware there has been only one case.

Mr. SCANLAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to a resolution of the Sligo Corporation urging the opening of a bureau or office of the Labour Exchange in Sligo, which is the principal business centre in the West of Ireland; and whether he is now prepared to open an exchange in Sligo?

Mr. BUXTON

I have received a resolution from the Sligo Corporation to the effect stated. I fear I cannot at present add anything to my answer to a similar question which the hon. Member asked me on 7th March.

Mr. SCANLAN

In view of the fact that the President of the Board of Trade has stated in answer to Question No. 44 that there are only six Labour Exchanges opened altogether in Ireland, does he not consider Ireland is being neglected in regard to Labour Exchanges by his Department; and I want to know specially if he would consider the advisability of opening at least a sub-office under the Labour Exchanges in Sligo for the convenience of a population of five counties, the workers in which are very much interested in this matter?

Mr. BUXTON

Amongst an agricultural population Labour Exchanges are not of the same value as they are to industrial populations. Apart from that we must go comparatively slowly in this matter. The whole of the question is of an experimental nature, but I will bear Sligo and other places in mind.

Mr. SCANLAN

Is it not the case that this slow progress obtains only in regard to Ireland?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

Not that I am aware of.

Mr. GWYNN

Can the right hon. Gentleman take any steps to popularise Labour Exchanges in such places as Sligo and Galway, which at present are not touched by the machinery?

Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON

I should be glad to receive and consider any suggestions from the hon. Member.