§ 1. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Minister of Labour how many trainees are at present undergoing training at the various centres; and how many vacancies there are unfilled?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)As the answer is in tabular form I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the right hon. Lady give any reason for the decrease of some thousands in the number?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes. It is largely due to the change of policy after the Local Government Conference at the Guildhall, at which it was decided to drop compulsory insistence on transfers.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODWas not that a Ministerial decision?
§ Miss BONDFIELDWe acquiesced in the request from the Local Government Conference.
§ 7. Mr. DAYasked the, Minister of Labour the number of juveniles who have been found employment in the London area through the medium of Employment Exchanges from the depressed areas in the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and has she any records which will show the number of these juveniles who are still in employment in London or have returned to their homes?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe numbers of boys and girls from the depressed areas who have been found employment in the Greater London area through the Employment Exchanges and Juvenile Employment Bureaux during the period 4th November, 1929, to 31st October, 1930, are 590 and 309 respectively. Of these, approximately 130 boys and 100 girls have returned home.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Lady say whether grants-in-aid of maintenance have been made, in view of the very low wages these boys are getting?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThese boys are placed under special safeguards.
§ Mr. DAYAre not some of them, especially in the Borough of Southwark, being paid extremely low wages?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI should like instances.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Lady explain why her Department has done less than her predecessor did?
Mr. WILLIAMSOn a point of Order. If the right hon. Lady cannot give an answer to my question, may I be allowed to raise the matter on the Adjournment?
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestions of that sort do not come within the Rule.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI take it, that I am entitled to raise the matter on the Adjournment, if I wish to do so, and I now give notice that I shall do so at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member may give notice that he will raise the matter on the Adjournment, but he cannot expect an answer from the Minister.