§ Mr. HODGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any regulations have been issued to the advisory committees under the Labour Exchanges Act governing the letting of rooms to trade unions and other bodies; whether he is aware that the advisory committee for Guildford has refused accommodation to the Guildford Trades and Labour Council on the ground that it is not an industrial organisation; whether this refusal is endorsed by his Department, in view of the fact that trades councils are composed of representatives of trade unions; and whether he can take any action in the matter?
Mr. BUXTONThe general regulations for Labour Exchanges provide that accommodation within the premises of an exchange shall only be granted for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as the advisory trade committee of the district may approve. I understand that the application of the Guildford Trades and Labour Council has been considered on two occasions by the London and South-Eastern Counties Advisory Trade Committee, but that the committee have not been able to assent to it. This decision does not require the endorsement of the Board of Trade. I do not propose to take any action in the matter.