HC Deb 01 December 1938 vol 342 cc566-7
8. Mr. Pilkington

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now say what is the result of the experiment being tried at Hartlepool, by which unemployed dockyard workers have to sign on once a day instead of twice; and whether he is now ready to extend this improvement to Liverpool?

Mr. E. Brown

As I indicated in reply to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White), on 21st November, no formal report on the Hartlepool experiment has been received. I think it would be premature to extend the experiment to Liverpool.

Mr. Pilkington

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is a very great hardship to expect men to go sometimes six miles in order to sign on twice a day?

Mr. Brown

I agree that there are difficulties. Both at Hartlepool and Liverpool there is a joint registration committee. I am hoping to get a report. At the moment I have received no such representation.

Mr. Pilkington

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect the report?

Mr. Brown

I do not know. I have had one or two observations sent to me, but not the report.

Mr. Logan

As regards Liverpool, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this application has been before his Department for six years, and that people have moved out five miles in the meantime?

Mr. Brown

I am aware that this question has been often raised, and the fact that it has been often raised rather points to the intractable nature of the difficulty, rather than an easy method of solving it.

Mr. Logan

Can the Minister not say that he will solve it by one-Clause legislation?