§ Lord BALCARRES (for Mr. Douglas Hall)asked what was the number of persons on the staff of the newly-created Labour Exchanges who were previously members of the Civil Service and the number of persons appointed by private recommendation; whether those persons who were not previously members of the Civil Service passed any examination before being appointed; and in how many cases appointments were made as the reward of political services?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)Fifteen persons of the rank of manager of Labour Exchanges or above that rank were previously members of the Civil Service. No appointments were made on private recommendation only, though testimonials from private individuals as to character and ability were of course considered. No examination was held, but most of the managers were appointed on the recommendation of a committee presided over by the First Civil Service Commissioner. Similarly, the more important women's appointments were made on the advice of a committee with the same chairman.
§ Lord BALCARRESAre there no examinations whatever for appointments?
§ Mr. BUXTONThere is no examination in the ordinary Civil Service sense of the term, though applicants are examined as to their qualifications.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEAre any of the higher appointments in the first rank made from the ranks of the Civil Service?
§ Mr. BUXTONIn the first part of my answer I said fifteen persons were recommended who were previously members of the Civil Service.
§ Sir JOHN RANDLESasked the President of the Board of Trade, whether steps had been taken to open a Labour Exchange at Workington; and, if so, about what date it would commence its business?
§ Mr. BUXTONSteps are now being taken to open a Labour Exchange at Workington. It is not possible, at present, to give a date when the exchange will be able to commence business.
§ Sir JOHN RANDLESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he had found it possible to make it generally known that persons desiring employment need not attend personally at labour exchanges, but might register through the post; if not, would he take such steps as would make it known?
§ Mr. BUXTONApplicants for employment residing more than three miles from an exchange are, as was stated in my printed answer to my hon. Friend's question dated 25th April, entitled to register through the post. Applicants living within three miles of an exchange must register in person. This procedure is prescribed by the General Regulations for Labour Exchanges made in pursuance of Section 2 of the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, and laid before Parliament. I considered the point, but it did not appear to me that any special announcement on the point raised by the hon. Member was necessary.
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked how many of the appointments made in connection with the Labour Exchanges Act were the result of open competition; how many appointments in all have been made; and what is the aggregate amount to be paid away in salaries on the present basis?
§ Mr. BUXTONAs I have already stated in the House over 20,000 applications were received from the public for posts under the Labour Exchanges Act. Of these applicants, about 600 altogether have been appointed. The salaries of the staff already appointed amount in the aggregate to £64,344 a year. As regards the other points raised I may refer to the 1306 answer just given to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it in future to be the policy of the Government to abandon the system of open competition, and to substitute for it that of nomination?
§ Mr. BUXTONOh, no.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the appointments to these Labour Exchanges be made in the ordinary Civil Service manner, after examination?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have already explained in reply to an earlier question the method in which they have been appointed.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODI am asking about future appointments to these Labour Exchanges, whether they will be made from the Civil Service after examination?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not think there is any proposal to alter the present system of appointments. As far as we can judge it has worked well, and we have a very efficient staff.