HC Deb 21 June 1928 vol 218 cc1753-4
55. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to make a further statement about overtime worked at Poplar Employment Exchange during May and the present month of June?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

Three temporary clerks were added to the staff at this Exchange during May, to cope with extra work, and are still employed there. During the first two weeks of June, 22 hours of overtime were worked, of which 16 hours fell on officers of supervisory grade and six on the other grades. I do not think any special action is called for.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the Minister of Labour kindly answer my question as to how much overtime was worked at the Poplar Employment Exchange in the month of May, and will he say whether he has had an opportunity of studying the return which I sent to him?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, I have made further inquiries about the overtime worked in the Poplar Employment Exchange during the month of May and the present month of June, and I have studied the figures which the hon. Member sent to me. I have made the further inquiry which the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour promised, and the result is given in my answer.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has given no answer at all? The right hon. Gentleman has simply told me how many clerks were employed. Is he aware that overtime is worked to the extent of between 60 to 100 hours in some weeks, and does he think that is right considering the number of people who are still unemployed?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I can only answer the hon. Member exactly as I have stated, that there was overtime worked in May, and because that overtime justified it temporary clerks were taken on in May. As regards June, instead of 100 hours, only 22 hours' overtime were worked, 16 of them by a supervisory officer for whom no additional help would be suitable. Only six hours' overtime were worked by the rest of the staff, and it would have been neither economical nor right to take on further staff under those circumstances.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether it is a fact that, instead of taking on two or three extra clerks in four weeks in May, overtime was worked to the extent of from 60 to 100 hours?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Not to my knowledge.

Mr. LANSBURY

I should like to give the figures, and I think they ought to be within the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge.