§ Mr. HAYDAYasked the Minister of Labour whether the Exchanges are closed for a period of two hours in the middle of the day for payment of out-of-work donations; and, if so, will he consider the possibility of making arrangements so that the Exchanges are continually open, and so prevent numbers of men and women having to wait in the streets an unnecessary length of time?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Regulations do not allow signature of the unemployed register between the hours of 12 and 2.1166W Accordingly, as one attendance suffices on Fridays for signing the register and drawing benefit, no advantage would, as a rule, be gained by arranging for payment, of benefit between these hours. Apart from signature of the unemployed register and payment of benefit, the Employment Exchanges are as a rule open to the public from 9 to 4 (9 to 12 on Saturdays).