§ Mr. BIRCHALLasked the Minister of Labour whether a site in Quebec Street, Leeds, has been purchased for an Employment Exchange; if so, what was the price paid; and what is the estimated cost of the building to be erected?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAA site in Quebec Street, Leeds, was purchased in July, 875W 1920, at a cost of£37,000. It was originally proposed to erect a permanent building for the Employment Exchange on this site, but in view of the undertaking given by me last year in the House not to proceed with permanent buildings, it was decided to erect a hut only. The cost of this hut is£11,050, and the work is now in progress. The decision to erect this hut was arrived at only after it was found impossible to obtain suitable accommodation by any other means. The number covered by unemployment insurance in Leeds is 133,000, arid the number of men fully unemployed on the 28th February was 13,778; in addition, 2,506 were on short-time work. These men are being dealt with at the present time in three separate sets of premises, none of which are suitable for dealing properly and efficiently with large crowds of applicants. This arrangement is very uneconomical, both as regards the numbers of staff who are required to deal with the applicants and as regards effective supervision by the manager to secure an adequate check of the payment of benefit and the testing of the willingness of the applicants to accept such employment as may be available. When the hut is completed it will be possible to concentrate the work in one set of premises, and to save£2,030 per annum in rent alone. It will also be possible to effect further economies by reducing staff, and there will also be a reduction in the cost of heating, lighting and cleaning. At the same time closer supervision of the staff and applicants for benefit—and improved efficiency—will be possible.