§ 15. Colonel ENGLANDasked the Minister of Labour if her attention has been called to the inconvenience to those signing on at the Employment Exchange at Radcliffe, especially as a result of the deficiency in accommodation and the existing staff arrangements; and whether she will make investigations to improve the conditions?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes, Sir. Steps are being taken to obtain better premises. Meanwhile, an additional office is being opened temporarily at Little Lever.
§ 19. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Labour whether a survey of Employment Exchanges has been carried out recently; if so, what number were reported to be unsatisfactory; what were found to be the main defects; and what work it is proposed to put in hand, and at what cost, to remedy the defects?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe survey which I directed on taking office has revealed the necessity for considerable rebuilding and reconditioning of Exchanges. This is now actively in progress. Thirteen new Exchanges have been built and others are steadily being completed on a continuous programme. Particulars of the works which it is proposed to carry out in the near future, and the estimated cost, will be found in Class VII of the Estimates for 1930–1931, which will be available shortly.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs the right hon. Lady satisfied with the progress which has been made?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes; I am glad to say that the arrangement now made between my Department and that of the Office of Works is running much more satisfactorily.
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe list contains 177 Exchanges; not all rebuilt, but either rebuilt or reconditioned.
§ Sir ASSHETON POWNALLIs it not a fact that there have been initiated and completed 13 separate Exchanges since last June?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI believe that that is the number.
§ 21. Mr. EGANasked the Minister of Labour, having regard to the 6,000 to 7,000 unemployed attending the Birkenhead Exchange weekly and the long waiting consequent on attending referees, assessors, etc., if she will order the provision of conveniences for both sexes at this Exchange, which were omitted during the building?
§ Miss BONDFIELDExperiments made in the past have proved that the expense of providing such accommodation and of maintaining it in a sanitary condition would be prohibitive. There is no necessity for it at Exchanges if proper public facilities are available, and this is a matter for the local authority.