HC Deb 23 December 1937 vol 330 c2133
8. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons under 16 years of age who have been transferred from the provinces to the Metropolitan district of London for various kinds of employment since the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934, came into being; and how many of these persons who have not obtained work on their transfer to London have their expenses paid to enable them to return home?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I regret that I cannot give separate figures for this period for persons under 16 years of age. Since January, 1934, 6,608 boys and 3,339 girls under 18 years of age have been transferred from the areas scheduled under the juvenile transference scheme to employment in the Metropolitan area. Of this number, only five failed to obtain suitable employment and had their expenses paid to enable them to return home.

Mr. Day

Can the Minister inform the House what sort of after-care is given to these boys after they are transferred to London?

Mr. Brown

I could not possibly do that without making an elaborate statement, but, as the House knows from successive Debates, the utmost care is taken.

Mr. Day

If these boys fail to obtain employment, are they sent back home and their expenses paid?

Mr. Brown

They are looked after in the most meticulous fashion.