Mr. Jenninģsasked the Minister of Labour if he will reconsider the matter of the closing of his Ministry's appointments office in the City of Sheffield which is causing dissatisfaction among the business people; and is he aware that the transference of this office to Leeds will cause undue delay and inconvenience.
§ Mr. BevinThe decision to reduce the number of Appointments Offices and, in the North Eastern Region, to concentrate the work in Leeds where my Regional Office is situated, follows the recommendation of the Committee on Higher 1553W Appointments over which Lord Hankey presided, and I am satisfied that it will result in providing a better and more specialised service to applicants and employers. To minimise any delay and inconvenience which might result from a reduction in the number of Appointments Offices I have taken steps to ensure the closest liaison between the Regional Appointments Offices and the Employment Exchanges so that inquiries may be dealt with locally. Naturally, these arrangements will be kept under close review and I shall not hesitate to change them if necessary.