§ 34. Mr. LOUGHERasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the estimated cost of the maintenance of the Employment Exchanges at the present date, the number of registered unemployed, the 683 number of genuinely placed cases recorded on the books of the Exchanges during the last three months, and what proportion of those so placed have been due to the efforts of the Employment Exchanges as compared with the total which have secured work through sources other than that of the Employment Exchanges?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe estimated cost of the Employment Exchanges and divisional offices for the year 1922–23 is approximately £3,975,000, including rent, stationery, etc., as well as cost of staff. Of this cost about £3,776,000 is attributable to the administration of Unemployment Insurance, including the offering of employment to insured persons, and is paid by the Unemployment Fund. The balance of about £200,000 is paid by the Treasury, and includes the cost of work done by the Exchanges, for example, in connection with the King's Roll scheme and overseas settlement. The number of vacancies filled by the Employment Exchanges during the three months ended 6th November last, exclusive of those in certain casual occupations, was 143,580. I have no means of estimating the number who have secured work through other sources.