HC Deb 21 May 1931 vol 252 cc2168-9
1 and 2. Mr. McSHANE

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of vacancies for women notified by the Walsall exchange to the Birmingham exchanges during April, 1931;

(2) the number of vacancies for women notified by the Birmingham exchanges to Walsall exchange during April, 1931?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)

No vacancies for women were circulated to the Birmingham exchanges on behalf of Walsall during April; 185 vacancies for women in the Birmingham area which could not immediately be filled locally were circulated to neighbouring exchanges including Walsall.

Mr. McSHANE

Will the right hon. Lady, in view of the fact that there are 20,000 unemployed women in Birmingham and over 2,000 in Walsall, give instructions to these exchanges that in the case of domestic service, where injustice or hardship frequently arises, they shall be confined to Birmingham?

Miss BONDFIELD

In this particular instance there were no vacancies from Walsall, and I think the hon. Member will be doing an injustice to the women of Walsall if he takes a line which will forbid the circulation of vacancies in Walsall.

Mr. McSHANE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have frequently had coming to me large numbers of women who are anxious for domestic service in Walsall, but cannot get it, whereas Birmingham women are sent there and get it?

Miss BONDFIELD

I will look into that point.

Mr. HANNON

Has the Minister of Labour received any complaints of any sort or description against the administration of the Birmingham Employment Exchanges?

Miss BONDFIELD

I do not think so.