§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the First Commissioner of Works if he could state how much of the £70,000 voted as a Supplementary Estimate for the accommodation of the Labour Exchanges had so far been expended; and whether it was proposed to suspend expenditure upon permanent buildings pending an opportunity for ascertaining the utility of such exchanges?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Harcourt)My Department is practically committed to the expenditure of the full sum of £70,000 provided by the Supplementary Estimate for the accommodation of Labour Exchanges during the current financial year, though some small surplus may have to be surrendered in respect of accounts which may be outstanding on 31st March next. The Board of Trade is empowered by the Labour Exchanges Act to establish and maintain Labour Exchanges in such places 1129 as they think fit, and I shall be prepared to comply with the lawful requirements of that Department.
§ Mr. EVELYN CECILasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of applications for employment made to the newly-established Labour Exchanges for any period of time since they were opened, and the number of these cases in which the exchanges have been instrumental in securing employment?
§ The PRESIDENT Of the BOARD Of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)As I have already pointed out in reply to a similar question asked me by the hon. Member for Burnley on 23rd February, it is the intention of the Board of Trade to compile and issue periodical statistics of the operation of the Labour Exchanges, but only five weeks have elapsed since the opening of the first exchange, and hitherto the attention of those in charge has been largely occupied with the preliminary work of organisation and the registration of applicants. Present statistics would, therefore, be of little value. I may, however, say that as far as can be judged from the information received the exchanges have made a promising start.
Mr. LEVERTON HARRISHas the right hon. Gentleman not himself got the information we have frequently asked for?
§ Mr. BUXTONA certain amount, but not in any sense in detail such as, I think, would be of value to the House. There is no desire whatever to withhold information from the House, but statistics founded upon the first two or three weeks of an entirely new system in which the officers concerned are engaged in organisation and registration would give no proper idea of the value or extent of the use to which the Labour Exchanges are put.
§ Earl WINTERTONAre we to understand from the answer it will not be possible to obtain the figures for the first month or the number of applications or the number of jobs found?
§ Mr. BUXTONI did not say so. I said I would like to give an opportunity to these exchanges to get into working order before statistics are produced, which might put—I do not say they would—an 1130 entirely erroneous view as to the likelihood of the success of these exchanges. That is the sole object I have in view. I am sure the Noble Lord desires, with me, that these exchanges may be a success.
§ Earl WINTERTONWe shall have it eventually?
§ Mr. BUXTONYes.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre the Labour Exchanges new to London?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe National Labour Exchanges are. The others were only local.
§ Sir WALTER MENZIESAre these Labour Exchanges, on the whole, fulfilling the expectations of the Government?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe phrase I used was that as far as we could judge they are making a promising start. I make some appeal to the House that we should give them a fair opportunity of carrying out their work.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trades council of Sligo and the workers in a number of other towns in the West of Ireland, as well as the county council of Sligo have called upon the Government to establish a Labour Exchange in Sligo for the province of Connaught; and whether, in order to meet the needs and the convenience of the artisans and labourers in this province, he will take steps to establish, as soon as possible, an exchange in the town of Sligo?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have received from the hon. Member a copy of a resolution passed by the Sligo Trades Council requesting the Government to establish a Labour Exchange in Sligo for the province of Connaught, and I have also received from the hon. Member for South Sligo a copy of a resolution to the same effect passed by the Sligo County Council. Both these resolutions have been noted. The further development of the Labour Exchange system in Ireland is receiving careful consideration, but it is not possible at present to provide exchanges in every important area.
Mr. STRAUSSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether any representations have been made to him with regard to the difficulty of enabling unemployed to obtain work at a distance through the Labour Exchanges; and 1131 whether increased facilities for helping the men to secure work outside London are contemplated?
§ Mr. BUXTONMy right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board has asked me to deal with this question. No representation of the kind described by the hon. Member has been received. Each Labour Exchange is in constant communication with Exchanges in other districts with a view of enabling men who cannot get work in their own districts to fill vacancies which cannot be filled by local workmen. The General Regulations made under the Labour Exchanges Act provide for the advance of travelling expenses under certain conditions.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action to ensure that the advisory committees for juvenile employment to be formed in connection with the Labour Exchanges shall not be exclusively composed of employers and workmen, but shall include persons of experience or knowledge of education, or of social conditions, or of the problems of adolescence?
§ Mr. BUXTONI beg to refer my hon. Friend to Rule 2, Sub-section 1, of the Special Rules with regard to the registration of juvenile applicants in England and Wales, of which I have sent him a copy. He will see that it is expressly provided that the special advisory committees for juvenile employment in connection with Labour Exchanges shall include persons possessing experience or knowledge of education or of other conditions affecting young persons.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it would be within the duty of the advisory committees for juvenile employment to be established in connection with Labour Exchanges to make inquiries and issue reports with reference to local trades and industries, particularly with the view of guiding boys leaving school to occupations which give them a reasonable hope of a career as men?
§ Mr. BUXTONRule 5 provides that the advisory committees for juvenile employment which it is proposed to establish in connection with Labour Exchanges 1132 "may take steps, either by themselves or in co-operation with any other bodies or persons, to give information, advice, and assistance to boys and girls and their parents with respect to the choice of employment and other matters bearing thereon." I am not at the moment prepared to define more closely the duties of these proposed committees, but the point raised by my hon. Friend shall be borne in mind.