§ 39. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mrs. Best, who was employed in the Bishop Auckland Labour Exchange, has been discharged without any 771 reason being assigned; whether he will state the grounds on which she was dismissed; and whether, in view of the allegations that have been made concerning Mrs. Best and the conditions of her employment at the Exchange, and in view also of the public attention that has been drawn to the matter, he will grant an inquiry into all the circumstances in order to elucidate the facts?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)The facts of this case received the personal consideration of my right hon. Friend. The officer referred to was engaged, like other officers of the Labour Exchange service, on probation for the first two years, and it was one of the terms of the engagement that it might be terminated by a month's notice on either side without reason assigned. The decision to dispense with the services of the officer in question was only arrived at after a careful investigation, at which she was fully heard, and which showed that she was not suited to the work of a Labour Exchange. I am of opinion that a further inquiry could serve no useful purpose.