§ Mr. G. JONESasked the Minister of Labour how many persons during 1919 made application to the Employment Exchanges in London for employment; for what proportion of those persons the Labour Exchanges in London succeeded in finding employment; and how much the total cost of the Labour Exchanges in 1845W London during 1919 worked out at per person for whom employment was so found?
§ Sir R. HORNEDuring 1919 the number of persons who applied to the 49 Employment Exchanges in London for employment was 1,007,986, and of these 268,845, or 26.7 per cent., were placed in employment. It should, however, be rioted that during 1919, and more especially during the first five months of that year, the number of persons seeking work was unusually large owing to demobilisation, and the number of vacancies notified was smaller than usual owing to the transition of industry from a war to a peace basis. Consequently, the proportion of applicants placed in employment was abnormally low in 1919. As regards the cost per person placed in employment the hon. Member no doubt is aware that the functions of the Employment Exchanges are by no means limited to placing persons in employment, and in 1919 covered not only the administration of Unemployment Insurance, but also Out-of-Work Donation, work in connection with demobilisation and resettlement, and other special services. In these circumstances it is impossible to arrive at a satisfactory estimate of the cost of placing persons in employment.