§ 39. Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in some eases Scottish bakers who have been in receipt of unemployment donation in Scotland have been offered by the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour situations in England and Wales at rates lower than the rates for these areas prescribed in Statutory Rules and Orders, 1919, No. 1772, dated 19th November, 1919; whether the officials of these Exchanges are acting in accordance with the Ministry of Labour's policy and Regulations in offering situations the terms of which are at variance with findings which have been reached through the agency of the Ministry's officials; and whether he will take steps to prevent such offers being made in future?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe instructions to Employment Exchanges provide that vacancies offering lower wages than the legal minimum shall not be offered to workpeople, whether or not such workpeople are in receipt of donation or unemployment benefit. I am making inquiry as to whether there has been any contravention of these instructions in the class of cases referred to by the hon. Member, but it would assist these inquiries if he would furnish me with further particulars.
§ 41. Lieut.-Colonel HURSTasked the Minister of Labour whether any of the new Employment Exchanges, for which Estimates have been submitted, are designed to deal with applicants between fourteen and eighteen years of age; and, if so, on what ground the Ministry of Labour is justified in encroaching on the powers given to local education authorities by the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Estimates submitted for new Employment Exchanges provide, where necessary, for dealing with applicants between fourteen and eighteen years of age. This does not involve any encroachment on the powers vested in local education authorities under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910. In the majority of cases the local education authorities have concurred in special schemes, either under the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, or the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910, which provide for all the work of dealing with juvenile applicants being performed at the Local Employment Exchange. In certain cases in which a scheme under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act has been approved, the scheme provides for the work being done in premises belonging to the local education authority, and in such cases provision for the accommodation of juveniles is not made and is not proposed at the Local Employment Exchanges. It should be added that, as regards persons between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, who are compulsorily insured against unemployment, the Ministry are under a statutory obligation to provide the necessary accommodation for this purpose.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand that in all cases local Education Boards will be consulted and asked to co-operate in this scheme?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am sorry to say cooperation between these two bodies is not complete throughout the country. It works very well at headquarters, and I am at present considering with the Minister of Education means whereby we can get bettor co-operation in the country.
§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEWill the right hon. Gentleman insist on there being no unnecessary duplication of buildings or staff at the public expense?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is a point which we are keeping very much in view.