HC Deb 07 April 1949 vol 463 cc2201-2
49. Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Minister of Labour what business is transacted at employment exchanges apart from that falling directly within the purview of his Department.

Mr. Isaacs

For the Ministry of National Insurance, taking claims for unemployment benefit and proof of unemployment, computing and paying unemployment benefit, and allied matters; for the National Assistance Board, making payment of assistance grants; for the Foreign Office, services connected with applications for passports and travel identity cards; and, for the Board of Inland Revenue, making refunds of Income Tax to unemployed persons. In addition employment exchanges receive many inquiries from the public about matters dealt with by other Departments; every effort is made in such cases to assist in obtaining the information required.

Mr. Skinnard

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is at the moment considerable dissatisfaction with the passport-signing facilities which he has mentioned in connection with employment exchanges, and that I have received several complaints?

Mr. Isaacs

I shall be very glad to have information of those complaints. I have made inquiries at all the employment exchanges which I have visited, and those are many, and the impression is that this service is an undoubted boon to the public. I have not had a solitary complaint.