§ Mr. CLOUGHasked the Minister of Labour whether, pending the Report of the Committee on Labour Exchanges, he is suspending all building and extension work in connection with the existing and contemplated Employment Exchanges?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe suspension of all building and extension work in connection with the Employment Exchanges, pending the Report of the Committee which has been appointed, is not practicable. No permanent buildings, however, are being erected at the present time, and, apart from a few exceptionally urgent cases, it is not proposed to commence building permanent premises during the present financial year. In a large number of cases the necessity for new premises is due to the fact that existing premises have to be given up during the present year, and to meet this difficulty temporary huts are being erected; if this work were postponed it would not be possible to provide Employment Exchange facilities for the public. The only alternative would be to incur heavy expense in the hire of premises for work which must be carried on. Quite apart from the Committee of Inquiry, however, and without prejudice to any recommendations that the Committee may make, I have personally investigated the proposals for building work in this connection, and can assure my hon. Friend that no such work will be undertaken that is not absolutely1784W necessary for the discharge of the responsibilities at present laid upon my Department.