§ 60. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Employment Exchange building at Stafford has been condemned; and whether, seeing that suitable premises have been offered by the local co-operative society and that these premises afford sufficient accommodation for the waiting men who at present have to line up outside in all kinds of weather, he will say why the offer of these premises has been refused?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe need for providing better accommodation in this case has been recognised for some time. The premises offered by the local co-operative society, known as the Old Bakery, were unfortunately not in a suitable position. Proposals are now under consideration for acquiring a site and erecting a building designed specially for the Employment Exchange service. In the meantime, it is hoped that the arrangements made whereby applicants are asked to attend at scheduled times will make it unnecessary for them to congregate outside the building.