§ Mr. BECKERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgent necessity for economy, he will consider the question of the abolition of the Employment. Exchanges and of the Ministry of Labour except in so far as that Department is engaged in the distribution of unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Unemployment Insurance scheme necessitates a system of Exchanges, which are also required for other purposes connected with employment and particularly for matters connected with the employment of ex-service men. The other functions of the Ministry of Labour include conciliation and arbitration, Trade Boards and training of disabled ex-service men, etc. Whatever redistribution of the work of Government Departments may be found possible when conditions are more normal, it would not. I think, in present circumstances, be either practicable or economical to abolish the Ministry of Labour and transfer its functions to other Departments.