35. Mr. C. P. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether he intends to set up a training centre for unemployed persons in the Wrexham area?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir. I do not see my way at present to provide any more training centres beyond those in existence or in contemplation.
36. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour how many insured persons were refused benefit at the Employment Exchange at Wrexham in January, 1928, and the principal reasons for the disallowances?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDDuring the four weeks ended 13th February, 1928, the number of applications for extended benefit considered by the Wrexham Local Committee was 138, of which eight were recommended for disallowance. In six cases it was held that the applicants were not making every reasonable effort to obtain suitable employment, in one case the applicant had not had a reasonable period of insurable employment in the last two years, and the remaining case was that of a single person residing with relatives to whom he could look for support. Statistics regarding the decisions on applications for standard benefit are not available.
37. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour whether the Industrial Transference Board has had its attention called to the condition of unemployed miners in the Wrexham area; and, if so, what steps are contemplated to provide work for these men?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe Industrial Transference Board has constantly before it the situation in all mining areas, and, while unemployment amongst miners in the Wrexham district is fortunately not so great as that in other mining centres in Wales, the Board will have this district in mind in its efforts to facilitate the transfer of surplus mining labour.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether in this district the Transference Board has actually transferred anybody and found work for them?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe Transference Board, whose operations it will be open to the hon. Member or others to raise in the Debate later, is not, as he imagines, a Board that has large executive powers of its own. It works very largely through the other executive departments, in order to stimulate their 407 efforts to provide openings, and so make the number of transfers greater than it would otherwise be.
§ Mr. PALINGAre we to understand that the powers of the Transference Board are so small that it can practically do nothing?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir.