Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Labour to what extent the Employment Exchanges are able to show any improvement in placing unemployed in suitable employment; and what is the number of training schemes now in operation?
§ Miss BONDFIELDWith regard to the first part of the question, in 1929 the Employment Exchanges filled 1,554,433 vacancies, an increase of 220,000 over 1928. In the first quarter of 1930, the number of vacancies filled show an in- 3141W crease of about 20,000 compared with the first quarter of 1929. The appended statement shows the progress in the placing work of the Exchanges since the War. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. Graham White) on 11th December, 1929, and 20th March, 1930, of which I am sending him copies.
Statement showing the number of vacancies notified to, and filled by, Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. — Vacancies notified. Vacancies filled. Percentage of vacancies filled. 1919 1,909,489 1,258,965 66 per cent. 1920 1,285,716 920,979 72 per cent. 1921 986,266 807,328 82 per cent. 1922 839,633 697,036 83 per cent. 1923 1,056,970 893,713 85 per cent. 1924 1,345,394 1,143,742 85 per cent. 1925 1,480,820 1,279,292 86 per cent. 1926 1,246,967 1,082,917 87 per cent. 1927 1,436,052 1,252,707 87 per cent. 1928 1,510,423 1,327,218 88 per cent. 1929 1,779,434 1,554,433 87 per cent.