§ 77. Mr. GIBBSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he contemplates opening two additional Labour Exchanges in Bristol in the near future; what was the expenditure on the two existing Labour Exchanges in that city, apart from the divisional office, for the year 1911–12; what is the estimated annual expenditure for the two new Exchanges; and whether he will explain why such additional expenditure is to be undertaken in view of the fact that the two existing Exchanges filled from the general register only 449 vacancies out of the 550 notified during the twenty-two working days ending 28th April last?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)Two additional Labour Exchange Sub-offices are being opened in the industrial suburbs of Bristol. The rental in each case is £35; the annual upkeep is estimated in each case at £20, making a total of £110 per annum. The two existing Exchanges which have already been established in the district are situated in Bristol and in Avonmouth respectively, and are 6½ miles apart. The total cost for 1911–12 of the Divisional Office for the South-Western Division, and for the Bristol Labour Exchange, which are housed in the same building, was £540. The cost of the Labour Exchange at Avonmouth during the same period was £90. The figures quoted by the hon. Member as to the number of vacancies filled refer only to adults. In addition to these, 216 vacancies for juveniles were notified, and 145 were filled in the period referred to. The two additional sub-offices are mainly required on account of the additional duties to be performed in connection with the administration of Part II. of the National Insurance Act. The four Exchanges in question will have to deal with an estimated number of 18,000 insured workmen and a total population of 357,000.