§ 38. Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken by the Government to relieve unemployment amongst women; whether the institution by local authorities of training classes for unemployed women would come under the heads of works of public utility for the purposes of receiving public grants in aid; and whether Labour Exchanges, when dealing with unemployed men and women, have any system for notifying offers of employment in other areas than that for which the applicant is registered?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs my Noble and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, women are entitled to unemployment benefit subject to the same conditions as those applicable to men. The institution of relief works providing employment suitable for women is beset with difficulties, and has not hitherto been found practicable. The conditions governing public grants in aid for works of public utility do not enable such grants to be made in aid of training classes. As regards the last part of the question, vacancies which cannot be filled locally are circulated to all Employment Ex- 1791 changes throughout the Kingdom by means of the "National Clearing House Gazette," which is publicly exhibited in the waiting rooms of Employment Exchanges. At the present time, however, owing to the widespread unemployment, there are in general few opportunites for transferring workpeople from one district to another, and such opportunities as occur are greatly hampered by the shortage of housing, accommodation.
§ Viscount CURZONCould it not be considered whether training classes for women, such as are suggested in the question, could be instituted under Lord St. David's scheme?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is a matter of the conditions under which Lord St. David's Committee make the grant. I will go into it, but the Noble Lord must not take it that I can give any assurance.