§ Mr. G. OLIVERasked the Minister of Labour whether she will cause inquiry to be made into the organisation of the Ilkeston Employment Exchange which at the present time necessitates men waiting three hours and more to sign for or receive benefit; and whether she will take the necessary steps to obviate this difficulty?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI have made inquiries, and find that there was some congestion at the Ilkeston Employment Exchange immediately following the Easter Holidays. This was due to exceptional circumstances including the arrival of 900 new claimants more or less simultaneously without previous notice, and the absence on sick leave of a number of experienced officers of the Exchange. The report that claimants had to wait three hours and more to sign the unemployed register or to receive benefit is, however, an exaggeration. I do not think there is reason to anticipate the recurrence of similar difficulties, but I may mention that steps are being taken to open a temporary office in one of the outlying districts in order to relieve some of the pressure on the Exchange.