asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the increase in short-time working in Rossendale, he will consider reopening the Haslingden employment exchange for the purpose of paying unemployment benefit.

An unemployment benefit office is open each Wednesday morning at Haslingden to cater for the needs of the wholly unemployed persons. The number of persons living in the Haslingden area affected by short-time working does not justify keeping the office open full-time.