View report page

16
(b) Scales of Assessment.
The major change in your scales has been the
adoption of another Scale for the provision of Milk,
Dinners, and Subsidiary food products. This change
is more particularly dealt with in the Maternity and
Child Welfare Section of this Report.
(c) Unemployment.
There has been consultation with the Manager of
the Barking branch of the Ministry of Labour and
National Service on this question, who informs me
that unemployment in this area during the year 1944
has been practically "Nil" in both the Men and
Women's Sections.
The demand for Labour still considerably exceeds
the supply, with the result that any labour becoming
available has to be directed to work of the utmost
National importance.
First aid damage repair work is still carrying a
high priority and suitable labour is still being directed
to this class of work.
In stating that there is practically no unemployment
the Ministry of Labour refer to the small number of
workpeople (civilians) with physical and/or mental
defects, who are very difficult placing propositions
and are more or less always in and out of work.
The employment of part-time female labour
referred to in last year's report continues to be
satisfactory and in this connection it might be stated
that the setting up of day nurseries to look after the
children during the time the mothers are at work
continues to be serving a very useful purpose.