§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour the estimated population in the area to be served by the planned employment exchange in Manchester Street, Oldham; and what is the estimated number of unemployed and temporarily stopped persons and persons on short time at the most recent convenient date who will register there.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe estimated population is 125,285. At 11th July, 1955, the numbers of wholly unemployed and temporarily stopped persons on the registers at the Oldham and Chadderton Employment Exchanges were 311 and 1,382 respectively.
§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour what consultations took place between his Department and the local authorities and trade unions concerned before the decision was taken to close the Oldham and Chadderton Employment Exchanges and substitute one exchange in Manchester Street, Oldham.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe proposal to close the Oldham and Chadderton Employment Exchanges and substitute one exchange in Manchester Street, Oldham, was conveyed to the Oldham and District Employment Committee on 26th May, 1954, and was favourably received. The Committee, which covers the Oldham, Chadderton and Saddleworth areas, consists of representatives of employers and trades union organisations, the Oldham Youth Employment Committee, the British Legion, the Council of Social Service, the Oldham County Borough Council and the Saddleworth Urban District Council. The Chairman220W of the Committee is the present Mayor of Oldham who is also the Chairman of the Oldham Trades Council which covers Chadderton. I have, however, decided to defer for the time being the removal of the Chadderton Employment Exchange from its present premises. In the meantime, in response to a request I have received from the hon. Gentleman I am arranging for the local authorities and the trade unions concerned to be invited to discuss the proposed changes with my Department.
§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated maximum distance of travel from the distant parts of Oldham and Chadderton area of employment to be served by the planned new exchange at Manchester Street, Oldham.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThree miles.
§ Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour what travel facilities are available from Clarksfield, Oldham, and from Middleton Junction, respectively, for unemployed workers who will have to sign on for benefit at the Manchester Street Employment Exchange at Oldham.
§ Sir W. MoncktonFrom Clarksfield, there is a bus service at intervals of between seven and ten minutes to within fifty yards of the new office. The fare is 2½d.
Persons from Middleton Junction rarely use the Chadderton office as they find it more convenient to go to the Middleton Employment Exchange. There are, however, two bus services at varying intervals throughout the day; the fare is 4d.