§ 37. Mr. BARKERasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there is no Employment Exchange at Nantyglo, Monmouthshire; that there are over 1,000 unemployed in this area; that it is a very scattered district; that this is the second winter that these people have had to face unemployment with worn-out clothes and footwear; that they have to go to Brynmawr or Blaina three times per week, very often in heavy rain, to register and to receive their unemployment pay; and will he, to alleviate this suffering as much as possible, take steps to have an Employment Exchange opened at Nantyglo!
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe number of unemployed men residing in Nantyglo and registered at Brynmawr and Blaina is about 600, and I understand that the greatest distance between their homes and the nearest Employment Office, at Brynmawr or Blaina, is a mile and a half. In these circumstances I do not consider that the opening of a new office would be justified, but it has been arranged that, after the end of the present week, residents at Nantyglo need attend only twice a week for the time being.