§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Minister of Labour whether he has received information as to the congestion at the Employment Exchange at Goswell Road; whether he is aware that unemployed men, poorly clad, ill-shod, and half-starved have to wait an hour and sometimes two hours in the street in all sorts of weather, and that on Friday last one man dropped dead and another was carried off in a swoon; and whether he will take whatever steps are necessary to prevent such incidents in future?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn Friday last, I greatly regret to say, a man dropped dead before 9 a.m. He was 75 years of age. The Exchange does not open till 9 o'clock. Normally there is no delay. There are two pay days (Thursday and Friday), and all applicants are timed half-hourly and dealt with at their proper times. Last week, owing to the introduction of the new Act and additional signatures required, there was some delay, the maximum delay being from 50 minutes to one hour. It is not anticipated that there will be any delay this week, or in future.