HC Deb 15 June 1939 vol 348 cc1473-5
7. Sir Percy Harris

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider opening an Employment Exchange in Bethnal Green, whose residents have to register in two exchanges, both of which are outside the borough?

Mr. E. Brown

One or other of the exchanges at Shoreditch, Hackney and Stepney is within a distance of two miles state of unemployment in the city of Liverpool, including the docks, has taken place in the 12 months ended 30th May, 1939, showing the industries, trades and callings affected favourably or adversely?

Mr. E. Brown

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Kirby

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that report is likely to show that the position in Liverpool, in relation to unemployment, remains very much the same?

Mr. Brown

There is a reduction of some 4,107 in the total figure.

Following is the statement:

from practically every part of Bethnal Green. In these circumstances I do not think that the expense of an additional exchange would be justified.

Sir P. Harris

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is very inconvenient that a local authority which is engaged in public works should not be able to get its men from its own exchange and that this makes it very diff- cult to calculate by districts the real amount of unemployment in the area; and will he approach this problem with an open mind, to see whether a better arrangement is not possible?

Mr. Brown

I have looked at the matter sympathetically. We have to consider the problem with regard to the needs of the population as a whole in the district.