§ Mr. W. THORNEasked whether the right hon. Gentleman will advise the superintendents at the various Labour Exchanges that the halls attached to the exchanges may be used, so far as accommodation will allow, by registered workpeople in order that they may not have to wait about outside exposed to the weather as at present; and if he will advise that newspapers and periodicals may be supplied to the exchanges for the use of registered workpeople?
Mr. BUXTONAs I have already stated, it is within the discretion of a manager of a Labour Exchange to allow men to wait for employment within the exchange, as far as space permits, and it is the intention of the Board that, generally speaking, such space as is available should be used for this purpose. At the same time, it would be undesirable to allow men to wait at the exchange for whom no possibility of employment was likely to arise. I am afraid I could not recommend the considerable expenditure which would be incurred by adopting the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at some of the Exchanges there is not accommodation for a hedgehog, much less a number of working men?
Mr. BUXTONMany of the Exchanges occupy temporary places, and we are expediting as far as possible the provision of permanent premises. We are endeavouring to give all the accommodation possible.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked whether on 23rd June last the Camberwell (London) Labour Exchange advertised for a foundry trimmer, and that a Mr. C. Anson applied, and was given a letter to take to the Clapham Junction Exchange, where he 1498 was given another letter to take to Messrs. Brett, Hennebegar, and Company, of Elm Works, Earlsfield, where he was informed that the situation had been filled some hours previously, and that the applicant had to walk all the way, it taking him from 8.30 a.m. until 3 p.m.; if he is aware that on the same date this Exchange advertised for a horse-keeper, and a Mr. E. Oddy was sent at 8.30 a.m. to Deptford Exchange, after waiting there an hour and a half asked the clerk if he could be attended to, and was then informed that there was no such job vacant, and that the bill remained in the window of the Camberwell Exchange until 4 p.m. that day, and other workpeople were sent on a similar fruitless errand; that on 28th June the Camberwell Exchange advertised for a cook, and a Mr. W. Husting applied, and was told by the clerk to call on the following morning at 9 a.m. which he did, and was then given a letter to take to Temple Chambers Labour Exchange, and was sent from there on to Harrow Road Exchange, and from thence to North Kensington Exchange, where he was given a letter to a Mr. Harville, of 4, St. Helen's Gardens, who told the applicant, after he had been kept waiting from 11.10 to 2.30, that a cook had been engaged on the previous Monday; and whether he can see his way to institute at the Exchanges methods of working whereby applicants for employment will not be in future sent on fruitless errands whereby time is wasted and in some cases money in fares?
Mr. BUXTONInquiries have been made into the facts of each of the three cases to which the hon. Member has called attention, and I am prepared to furnish him with the particulars elicited which do not quite agree with the statement. The failure of the employers to notify the cancellation of vacancies is one of the difficulties with which Labour Exchange managers have to contend, and occasionally leads to the despatch of applicants to situations which are found to be filled. I am satisfied, however, that such incidents are of rare occurrence, and every effort is made to reduce them to a minimum. In particular, it is the duty of managers, before sending an applicant to a distance, to obtain, if possible, direct confirmation of the vacancy still being open, and where such information cannot be obtained, to give full warning to the applicant. The matter is being carefully watched.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to make arrangements with the various local authorities that have tramways under their control for free travelling facilities to be allowed to workpeople seeking employment on production of a certificate from the superintendent of a Labour Exchange?
Mr. BUXTONI will consider the suggestion, but I see considerable difficulty in the way of adopting it.
§ Mr. MARKHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the last twenty years the Colonial authorities in New South Wales have issued passes to men out of work?
Mr. BUXTONWhen the Act was passed the point was raised, and the Board of Trade was omitted from giving the passes. This question is in reference to the local authorities, and that they should be asked to do so. I will look into the matter.