Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the payment of unemployment benefit under the National Insurance Act by a trade union, any fee is charged for the use of a room in a Labour Exchange; and, if so, whether be will advise that the use of a room for such purpose shall be allowed free?
Mr. ROBERTSONUnder the General Regulations made in pursuance of the Labour Exchange Act applications for accommodation on the premises of an Exchange may be granted only for such purposes and on such terms and conditions as the Advisory Trade Committee for the district may approve. In those districts where Advisory Trade Committees have agreed to accommodation being granted to trade unions for the purpose of paying unemployment benefit, a charge of 1s. is made on each occasion to meet the actual cost involved, and I am not prepared as at present advised to suggest a reduction of this charge. In this connection I may remind my hon. Friend that the repayment which an association may claim under Section 106 was intended to cover any additional cost of administration in connection with unemployment insurance.