§ Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Labour whether, when men are sent from the Employment Exchanges to the Post Office for temporary employment, it is the practice of his officials to inform the applicants for work of the number of hours' employment which is being offered; whether he is aware that in many cases the hours range from 21 to 4i per day, with the result that the wages paid are insufficient to keep the worker and his family, whilst at the same time he is prevented from returning to the Exchange in the hope of securing a full-time position; and whether he will issue instructions that full particulars as to the number of hours' work offered must be given to every applicant?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is the practice of the Employment Exchanges to give applicants all the information in their possession regarding wages and conditions of employment; and the Post Office Regulations provide that particulars of opportunities of temporary employment should, wherever possible, include a reference to the hours to be worked each day. Exceptions do arise, however, in connection with casual and Christmas vacancies which normally offer only part-time employment, as in these cases it is not always possible to say definitely how many hours' work will be available. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case in which he thinks fuller information might have been given I shall be glad to inquire into it.