HC Deb 04 March 1926 vol 192 cc1632-3W
Mr. CAPE

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that men entitled to receive benefits from the Unemployment Insurance Fund on pay days and signing-on days have no shelter provided for them at the Workington Employment Exchange, and are subject to standing in queues for a considerable length of time each day exposed to inclement weather; and what action is he prepared to take to get some reasonable shelter for the men?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am having inquiries made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. CAPE

asked the Minister of Labour what progress, if any, has been made towards building a new Employment Exchange at Workington?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

It has been found impossible to proceed with the scheme for rehousing this exchange which the Department was considering last year. An alternative proposal is now under consideration, but it may not be possible to make much progress with it during the coming financial year.

Mr. W. M'LEAN WATSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the large number of discharges of hired men at Rosyth, he will now consider the advisability of opening a branch of the Dunfermline Employment Exchange in the garden city for the convenience of the men resident in that area?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As I informed the hon. Member in connection with a similar question he addressed to me on the 19th November last, there is a local office at Inverkeithing, distant about one and a quarter miles from Rosyth, which is capable of dealing with the numbers being discharged from the Dockyard. I have no reason to suppose that there has been a change of circumstances sufficient to justify the opening of an additional office, but I am making further inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.