§ 35. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Minister of Labour whether the selection of premises for Employment Exchanges is based upon a policy of permanent or a policy of temporary Exchanges being provided?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe general policy in towns in which Exchanges are situated is to secure the minimum accommodation likely to be required over a period of years. In many places, owing to the volume of unemployment, this minimum accommodation is insufficient and the additional accommodation necessary is provided as far as possible by temporary hirings.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESDoes the Department take into consideration the districts where there has been more or less permanent unemployment on a large scale for the last few years, and that many of the buildings where people have to wait in queues in all kinds of weather are not adequate for shelter?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIt is true that some of the buildings are not as desirable as we could wish. This is a matter which is constantly under consideration, in conjunction with the Office of Works.
§ Mr. HARRISAre not some of the temporary wooden buildings used in London liable to be burned down and the records destroyed? Would not that be a serious matter?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo doubt all temporary building are liable to that danger.