§ Sir R. ASKEasked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that women residing at Walker-on-Tyne, who have to register at the Wallsend or Heaton Exchanges, are required to attend four days per week, or in the case of those classed as domestics six days per week, involving many of them walking distances up to 36 miles per week for this purpose; and whether she will consider the relaxation of these requirements so as to render the conditions less burdensome for these women and to afford them a reasonable opportunity of looking for employment?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am informed that all the women residing at Walkeron-Tyne who are attending the Exchanges at Heaton and Walisend are resident 2749W within two miles of the Exchange concerned, and I have no evidence that hardship is involved. The normal requirement of daily attendance is designed to afford registered applicants opportunity of being put in touch with vacancies as they are notified. I am not aware of any case in which an applicant at either of these Exchanges has to walk 36 miles a week, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars, I will cause inquiries to be made.