HC Deb 13 November 1911 vol 31 cc17-8
Sir C. KINLOCH - COOKE

asked whether 9,840 persons are said to have made reapplication for work to the Labour Exchanges during the five weeks ending 29th September; whether he can say how many of these persons were supplied with situations through the Labour Exchanges during the same five weeks; and can he give the average period of employment these 9,840 persons have received through the agency of the Labour Exchanges?

Mr. BUXTON

The figure quoted represents the number of reapplications for work by persons placed in employment through the exchanges during the five weeks ending 29th September. There are no returns available to show the average duration of their employment. This figure (which may include some duplications) represents 5 per cent. only of the total number of registrations during the five weeks.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is there no machinery at the Board of Trade that would give the amount of employment afforded through the Labour Exchanges?

Mr. BUXTON

We keep a record.

Mr. PIKE PEASE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can supply a Report in regard to the first twelve months' working of the Labour Exchange Department, in order that it may be available for the assistance of the Members of Standing Committee B in considering Part II. of the National Insurance Bill, or, if this is impossible, before the Report stage?

Mr. BUXTON

I am having prepared for circulation at the earliest possible moment a Return showing the results of the working of the Labour Exchanges during the first nine months of the present year. This, I think, will be more useful to Members than a Return dealing with the past twelve months, which include several months in which the Exchanges were not in full working order, and the statistics of which are not on quite the same basis as that adopted at the beginning of the present year.