HC Deb 31 May 1921 vol 142 c866W
Lieut.-Colonel HILDER

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will consider the advisability of stopping all expenditure, apart from inescapable commitments already made, on buildings for employment exchanges in view of the growing doubts as to the usefulness of those institutions?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have been asked to reply. I have already given an assurance that no permanent buildings shall be proceeded with without the previous sanction of the House. I shall propose to make a further statement on this matter on the Report stage of Class I, Vote 9, "Labour and Health Buildings, Great Britain." As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Employment Exchanges, of which I am sending him a copy. Notwithstanding the growing unemployment of the last four months of last year, the employment exchanges, during the year, filled 941,708 vacancies, finding work for 784,169 individuals and this, apart from their work in connection with unemployment insurance.