HC Deb 29 July 1910 vol 19 cc2685-6W
Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the Labour Exchange officials to remonstrate with employers who apply for smart boys from school to perform work of no educational value, and to press them to accept for such posts the services the men who, on account of defective physique or training, they are unable to place in situations at a man's wage?

Mr. BUXTON

I am in sympathy with the object which the Noble Lord has in view, and I have hopes that some progress will be made in this direction through the instrumentality of the Special Advisory Committees for Juvenile Employment which are now being constituted in connection with Labour Exchanges. As the Noble Lord is aware, Labour Exchanges possess no compulsory powers, and he will, I am sure, agree that much tact and caution are necessary in attempting to persuade employers to change their methods of conducting their business.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked whether the statistics of the Labour Exchanges show that 6,522 children were placed in situations in June as compared with 3,970 in May; and how many of these were registered in accordance with a scheme prepared by the local education authority and approved by the Board of Education, as provided by Regulation No. 6 (1) (a) of the special rules with regard to the registration of juvenile applicants?

Mr. BUXTON

The figures quoted by the Noble Lord appear to be compiled from tables appearing in the "Labour Gazette," which do not, however, relate to precise calendar months or to equal periods of time. In the former case the period covered was thirty working days; in the latter twenty-two only. The increase itself is both actually and proportionately a good deal less than that amongst adults. So far as I am aware, no education authorities have as yet submitted schemes for approval under the Regulation referred to.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

asked how many Labour Exchanges will be open in North Wales by the end of the current year, and at what places?

Mr. BUXTON

It is hoped that Labour Exchanges will be opened during the present year at Carnarvon, Festiniog, and Wrexham.