§ 11. Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Labour why Employment Exchanges in South Wales continue to make offers of work at Corsham, Bath, to unemployed men when, on the basis of the number of acceptances already in hand and the number actually given employment, no such work exists?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn order to avoid delay in meeting the anticipated requirements at Corsham, steps are taken in advance to invite applications from persons who appear suitable for the work. The time taken in considering individual particu- 658 lars and selecting applicants is unavoidable, but I am not aware that the number of applications obtained is in excess of requirements after taking into account wastage which occurs through persons being unsuccessful in selection or no longer available when required to commence work.
§ Mr. MainwaringIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are people who accepted at the Rhondda exchanges an offer to work at this place before Christmas, 1938, and that the fact that those people have so accepted work is acting as a pronounced deterrent to other people who are considering any such offer, with the consequence that the exchanges use these circumstances—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Mr. MainwaringMay I put it in this way? Is the Minister aware that the only effect of the continuation of this, process is to deprive of their unemployment benefit those who refuse to accept.
§ Mr. MainwaringWill the Minister accept my statement of that fact, that a number of men are so affected, as being the truth?
§ Mr. BrownNo, I cannot do that. Only about a fortnight ago we provided the hon. Member with a table from which he should draw different inferences.