§ Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Labour (1) if his attention has been called to the fact that it is useless to transfer people from other areas to Dewsbury when there are so many unemployed trained textile operatives, and both men and women specially trained for the rag trade, in this district; and whether the Ministry has had any correspondence with the Dewsbury Exchange with a view to the possible transference of unemployed workers to the Dewsbury area;
(2) if his attention has been drawn to a recent report of the secretary of the Dewsbury Employment Exchange to his local committee in which he reported that, although he had visited many employers, he had not been able to receive a single order in response to the Prime Minister's appeal; and what information he has as to the number of persons who have been given employment as a result of the Prime Minister's letter?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MA1TLANDI am aware of the unemployment position at Dewsbury and agree that until it improves there will be little scope for transfer to this area. The number of persons transferred from distressed areas through Employment Exchange machinery since the end of August now exceeds 6,000, and there have, in addition, been many persons who have found work through their own efforts.