58. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked whether arrangements are being made for obtaining a site and building a new Labour Exchange office in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow; if so, what is the anticipated price of the site with the present building; and what is the estimated cost of demolishing that building and putting up the new?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANA lease of premises at the corner of Sauchiehall Street and Cambridge Street, Glasgow, has been taken for five years from Whitsun, 1918, for the purpose of the principal Employment Exchange for Glasgow. The rental 857 is £1,700 a year, with the option of purchase at a price to be mutually agreed. The existing building will be used, with certain internal adaptations, the estimated cost of which is £ 3,000. I should like to add, in view of certain representations that have been made to my right hon. Friend, that in his opinion the present Exchange in College Street, Glasgow, is situated in quite the wrong quarter, and that the acquisition of the premises now in question was absolutely necessary for the efficient carrying on of the work of the Department.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe present building in College Street belongs to the Government already and will be put to some other purpose.
§ Mr. SHERWELLIs it proposed to continue this practice of purchasing large premises before the House has had an opportunity of considering the question of policy involved?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI would like to know what the hon. Gentleman refers to. We have got to carry on the work of Employment Exchanges and we have to get buildings if we have not got them already. We have got to carry out the duties of the Labour Ministry in administering the Act.
§ Mr. SHERWELLIs it not a fact that new and considerable premises are being acquired with reference to a policy which is to be pursued after the War, and that this House has not had an opportunity of receiving any indication as to what that policy is?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a very big question to hang on to a question in reference to so small a matter.
Mr. WHITEIs it not the fact that the premises have been acquired in the most expensive and most fashionable street?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not know about the most fashionable or most expensive street. It is most important not only that the premises should be centrally situated, and available for the people, employers, and employed, who want to use them, but also that they should be such as are good for the staff to work in. A great many of our premises are not up to that requirement.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIn acquiring these premises have you considered the question of economy, and the fact that equally central premises could be got on sites which are not nearly so expensive?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANEvery effort has been made to get a good site, and this is the best one, and such as we require.
Mr. WHITEIs the hon. Gentleman, aware that the buildings which he now considers are unsuitable were erected only half a dozen years ago?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am quite aware of that, but the point is that they are not in the right place, however good they may be.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the hon. Gentleman consulted any of the local people?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, Sir.
§ Colonel W. THORNEAre there not many Labour Exchanges which are not adequate that have been prevented from building extensions, and why should any privilege be given to Glasgow?