§ 6. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour if she is prepared to make better provision at the Parkhead Employment Exchange for unemployed men, to prevent them from standing in the rain and snow during bad weather?
§ Miss BONDFIELDAccommodation was provided on 16th June for men claimants, at the Congregational Church Hall in Westmuir Street, Parkhead, in addition to the premises in Sorby Street, and there should be no occasion for applicants, who observe the timing arrangements, to wait in the open.
§ Mr. McGOVERNDid the right hon. Lady say the 16th June, this year?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes.
§ 10. Mr. GOULDasked the Minister of Labour if she will call for a report as to the suitability or otherwise of the premises now being used as an Employment Exchange at Keynsham, and consider whether any alteration should be made to protect the unemployed on wet days when signing on in large numbers?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe premises of the branch employment office at Keynsham are provided, under the terms of this contract, by the branch manager, who is a part-time official. They have been in use since June, 1916, and are adequate for dealing with the normal work which falls to the office. The number of persons attending at the office at present is approximately 100. They are given times at which to attend in 591 small batches and, provided they adhere to their allotted times, there need be no delay in dealing with them.
§ Mr. GOULDIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is insufficient accommodation for those who attend the Exchange on wet days?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am given to understand that there is sufficient accommodation.
§ 21 and 22. Mr. BLINDELLasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether her attention has been directed to the state of the accommodation provided at the Boston Employment Exchange; whether she is aware that a part of the staff are housed in a passage-way, that congestion occurs in both the men's and women's departments, and that the building is dark and damp and unsuited for the purposes of an Employment Exchange; and will she, as a matter of urgency take steps to improve the accommodation at once?
(2) When the Boston Employment Exchange was scheduled for new premises; whether plans for the new building were passed by her Department; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the present building, she will at once proceed with the proposed new building?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am aware that the existing accommodation for this Exchange is unsatisfactory. It was scheduled for new premises as the result of a general survey made in 1929. Final plans of the proposed new building were passed by the Department in November, 1930, but, owing to lack of funds, it has been necessary to postpone the scheme.
§ Mr. BLINDELLIn view of the statement of the right hon. Lady that she is aware that the building is quite unsatisfactory, and in view of the fact that prospective employers are now refusing to attend the premises to interview people whom they might employ, on account of the nature of the building, cannot she take exceptional steps, as a matter of urgency, to find suitable accommodation?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI will give the matter further consideration.
§ Major HARVEYWould it not be better if the right hon. Lady took adequate steps to provide work for the unemployed?