HC Deb 28 April 1925 vol 183 cc31-2
62. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minsiter of Labour whether, in view of the growing desire on the part of working girls to remain with their own parents, he will issue the necessary instructions to all local Employment Exchanges that, in the cases where mistresses apply for domestic servants, efforts will be made by the Exchange staff to impress the necessity of such domestic service being day-time, with a maximum of an eight hours' working day, and the cessation of work at such a reasonable hour that the girls will not be compelled to live in, but be able to return to their own homes; whether his Department will ensure that any such situations offered to girls signing the unemployment register will be within reasonable reach of their homes; and can he state the number of girls who have refused acceptance of domestic service on the ground that they did not desire to live in?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The duty of the Employment Exchanges is to bring available employment to the notice of suitable persons on their registers. I am not satisfied that it is either practicable or desirable that they should attempt to lay down conditions of employment in the manner suggested. I regret that I am unable to give the figure asked for in thy, last part of the question.

Mr. N. MACLEAN

Is not a record kept of the number of these cases that have been rejected at the various exchanges in the country, and, if so, cannot the right hon. Gentleman have this information compiled from it?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that question. It is not one that I can answer off-hand.

Mr. MACLEAN

May I draw attention to the fact that that is what is asked in the last part of the question on the Paper? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer "].

Mr. SPEAKER

If the Minister cannot answer now, the question must be repeated.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The figures asked for in the last part of the question on the Paper are not available, and cannot be given.

Mr. MACLEAN

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's last reply, is it not the case that every individual claimant who is refused on the ground stated in the last part of the question has her case recorded at the exchange, and, if that be so, why cannot the figure be given to this House?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

This is all a' question of tabulation. There is a great deal of information given, and it would be necessary to go through the whole of the cases and tabulate them, and in some cases it is not possible for the Ministry to do so.