HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 cc870-2
68. Mr. HAYDAY

asked the Minister of Labour whether an Order has been issued to the effect that all persons in receipt of out-of-work benefit have to produce their food cards for stamping; if so, will he state the reason for this practice; and whether, in view of the fact that this action is resented by and prejudices the position of persons in receipt of this benefit, he will consider the advisability of having this Order withdrawn?

Mr. WARDLE

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The procedure was adopted as a convenient means of checking duplicate claims and verifying the number of children for whom supplementary allowance is drawn, and in some cases also it enables the ages of applicants to be checked. The ration books when presented are stamped with the name of the Employment Exchange, and I understand that this has given rise to some objection. I am considering the question of adopting some different method of marking the ration books.

69 and 70. Lieutenant-Colonel HILDER

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether, having regard to the fact that employers are unable to obtain sufficient skilled and other labour, he will arrange that the numbers, by trades, of those in receipt of our-of-work donations shall be published in the daily Press at least once a week; (2) whether arrangements can be made whereby employers requiring labour and who are unable to obtain it at their local Employment Exchange can be put into touch with the nearest Employment Exchange at which the particular class of labour required is obtainable?

Mr. WARDLE

I do not think that the publication in the Press of particulars of unemployed workpeople, as suggested by my hon. Friend, would have the effect he desires, and, in any event, I do not think that it is necessary. In a very large number of cases, especially with regard to skilled labour, an employer can only select the man he requires when he is in possession of detailed particulars as to the man's qualifications and experience. The specific types and varying grades of labour required by employers are so numerous that it would not be practicable to give, in respect of all persons who are in receipt of out-of-work donation, particulars which would enable employers to make their selection. What is desirable, and in fact necessary, is that employers should notify full particulars of all their labour requirements to the nearest Employment Exchange, the addres of which can be obtained from the local post office. The existing procedure, which has been in operation for some years, provides that where a vacancy cannot be filled by means of persons registered at the Exchange to which the vacancy is notified by the employer, particulars of the vacancy is circulated to other Employment Exchanges in the neighbourhood, and often to all Exchanges in the country, in order that the labour required may be sought from the most likely quarter.

Lieutenant-Colonel MURRAY

Would not automatic publication of these answers every week save frequent questions in this House?

Mr. WARDLE

It might save questions, but it would not have the desired result in the country.

Colonel THORNE

Is it not one of the chief difficulties of the Labour Exchanges in connection with men out of work that employers will not state definitely what wages they are prepared to pay?

Mr. WARDLE

That certainly is one of the difficulties.