§ 79. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour whether he will reconsider the decision to close the Employment Exchange at Horbury, near Wakefield, on 6th March next; whether he is aware that the unemployment figures are going up in that district, and that a paper works employing 200 persons is closing down until June next; and, if he cannot agree to continue the Exchange, will he allow a clerk to attend at Horbury on certain mornings in the week so that unemployed persons may be able to register without having to walk miles daily to either Wakefield or Osset?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe Horbury Branch Employment Office will not be closed before 31st March, and the question whether it should be kept open after that date is still under consideration. I may add that Horbury is only two miles from Ossett and three from Wakefield where 481 Employment Exchange facilities already exist, and signatures would only be required on alternate days from applicants coming from Roxbury.