§ 30. Mr. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that working men stationed at Stevenage who are unemployed are compelled to walk a distance of five miles to the nearest Labour Exchange at Hitchin to register; and whether, having regard to the fact that there is a population of 5,000 persons at Stevenage, he will take steps to arrange for a sub-office to be opened?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Robertson)In accordance with the Regulation 1 (2) of the Labour Exchange Regulations, workmen desiring to apply for employment through an exchange may do so by post if they live more than three miles from the exchange. Workmen resident at Stevenage who desire to obtain unemployment benefit need only attend once a week at the local agency at Hitchin, or alternatively at the Labour Exchange about to be established at Letchworth, to sign the unemployed register. In the circumstances, and in view of the relatively small numbers of workpeople concerned, I do not consider that it is at present necessary to open an office at Stevenage.