§ Mr. R. RICHARDSON (for Mr. CONNOLLY)asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that unemployed seamen in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area are compelled to sign the unemployed register at the Newcastle Central Exchange and not at the local exchange nearest their homes; that these men in their search for a ship often have to attend at the port of South Shields, 10 miles away, yet are compelled to sign the register six days a week at Newcastle; and will he give instructions that seamen shall sign three days a week at their nearest exchange or, alternatively, at the port they visit in their search for work?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI understand it is already possible for a seaman registered at Newcastle and seeking work at South Shields on any particular day to give evidence of unemployment at the 1060 latter place without visiting the Newcastle Central Exchange on that day. The arrangements at Newcastle with regard to seamen's claims are not more onerous than those applying to such claims generally, and I do not think I should be justified in relaxing them, but if the hon. Member has any particular case of apparent hardship in mind I shall be glad to look into it.