HC Deb 02 May 1923 vol 163 c1359
35. Colonel Sir CHARLES YATE

asked the Minister of Labour whether, considering that all but about £200,000 of the £4,214,357, the estimated cost of the Employment Exchange service, is in respect of the administration of unemployment insurance, he will now abolish the Employment Exchange service and place the latter under its proper designation of Unemployment Insurance service?

Sir M. BARLOW

The expressions "Employment Exchange service" and "Unemployment Insurance service" are nearly, but not quite, synonymous, and I am afraid I do not see how any economy or other advantage would be gained by abolishing the former expression.

Sir C. YATE

What is the good of keeping up a Government Department like the Employment Exchanges when neither workmen nor employers ever think of going to them?

Sir M. BARLOW

As there are 1,300,000 people resorting to them every week, I should have thought there was a very good reason for keeping them up.