HC Deb 01 July 1925 vol 185 cc2515-6
48. Mr. HANNON

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered for the year ending 31st March, 1925, at Employment Exchanges in the County of London and the approximate number of men, women, and young persons for whom employment was found through these exchanges during that period?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

It is not possible to say how many individuals were, at one time or another, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the course of a year, but the average number of persons who were on the registers in the County of London at any one time in the 12 months ended March, 1925, was 171,590 (men, 129,369; women, 32,337, and juveniles, 9,884). The number of vacancies filled in the 12 months ended 6th April, 1925, was 240,387 (men, 97,411; women, 60,795, and juveniles, 82,181).

49. Mr. HANNON

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of Employment Exchanges in the County of London; the total staff employed therein; the proportion of ex-service men employed; and the estimated annual cost of these exchanges, including cost of premises and other charges not borne on the Ministry of Labour Vote?

Sir A. STEEL MAITLAND

There are 23 Employment Exchanges in the County of London. On the 25th June, 1925, 963 persons were employed. Eighty-one per cent. of the male staff are ex-service men. The annual cost falling on the Votes for these exchanges is estimated at £263,500. It is not practicable to give an exact estimate of the cost of premises and other charges not borne on the Ministry's Vote, but it amounts to, approximately, £92,000. Almost the whole of the cost of these exchanges is attributable to administration of unemployment insurance, and is recovered from the Unemployment Fund.

Mr. HARRIS

Is it not a fact that the men employed in these exchanges are not sufficient to help the men to find work, because all their time is occupied disbursing insurance money?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

That is not the case. There are quite a number who are occupied at the present moment in trying to find work for the unemployed, and an immense amount of work is being done by them in actually placing persons in employment.

Sir F. WISE

May I ask whether the capital cost is recovered from the Unemployment Insurance Fund?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down on the Order Paper?