HC Deb 06 February 1929 vol 224 cc1752-3
32. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the new Employment Exchange premises shortly to be opened in Hull, there is inside accommodation for insured workers having business at the Exchange and waiting their turn to do their business; and how many persons can be accommodated under cover?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The internal waiting room space in this new Exchange will accommodate about 1,000 men and 400 women and this, ought to be sufficient to render outside queuing unnecessary if the applicants will co-operate in observing the timing arrangements.

Lieut-Commander KENWORTHY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while the applicants are prepared to cooperate in the timing arrangements, only a quarter-of-an-hour is allowed for each class; and will he increase the staff so that men will not have to queue up and cause this congestion?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I think that in any case the staff clearly ought not to be increased beyond what is reasonable: everyone realises that, given sufficient space, as I think there is, there should not be any queueing up.