§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the circumstances attending the issue of fresh instructions by the Canning Town Exchange requesting the men engaged in the boiler-making and shipbuilding trades to sign the unemployment register daily, at varying times between 9.30 and 11 a.m.; whether he is aware that the scope for employment in these trades at the dock extends from Tilbury to Teddington Lock and therefore such daily attendance at that hour in the morning seriously interferes with the opportunity of the men to obtain employment; and whether he can arrange to open another Employment Exchange in Barking Road, Canning Town?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDUnder existing arrangements, which were settled after consultation with representatives of the Trade Union concerned, there men are allowed to sign at any time between 9.30 and 11 a.m. Men seeking work at a distance can obtain a vacant ticket which enables them to sign at another office. I am advised that these arrangements are necessary for the proper administration of benefit and do not interfere with the men's search for work. I cannot undertake to open a new Exchange, but it has been decided to extend the existing premises considerably.