§ 68. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on days when there are large numbers of men waiting for payment of benefit at the Selly Oak employment exchange, the facilities there are inadequate and involve long waits in conditions of discomfort; and what plans he has for immediate improvements.
§ Mr. ThorntonThe premises at Selly Oak Employment Exchange are adequate for normal business. The number of unemployed registering at this office sometimes fluctuates violently, however, because of temporary stoppages of work in the motor industry. It would be uneconomical permanently to maintain large premises to deal with these relatively infrequent and short-term increases of unemployment, but every effort is made to reduce inconvenience to the public to a minimum. The local arrangements at Selly Oak to deal with this type of situation are being reviewed.