H—llA

12

54. The following table summarizes the activities of the Service for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1947 :

Activities of the Home Aid Service for the Year ended 31st March, 1947

The duration of the individual engagement of Aids for the 3,996 cases set out in the above table was as follows : Under one week .. .. .. .. .. 3,420 One week and under two weeks .. .. .. .. 263 Two weeks and under three weeks .. .. .. .. 153 Three weeks and over .. .. .. .. .. 160 Total .. .. .. .. .. 3,996 SECTION IX.—ADVISORY COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES 55. The Employment Act, 1945, provides for the establishment of Advisory Councilsand Committees to assist the Department in the effective administration of its Employment Service. Through these Councils and Committees the Department is able to secure the co-operation of workers' and employers' organizations in dealing with the employment problems of important industries. Permanently constituted local Employment Advisory Committees, consisting of workers' and employers' representatives,, under the chairmanship of the District Employment Officer, have been set up in a number of industries. Where appropriate, representatives of other Government Departments have been co-opted as members of these Committees. National Employment Advisory Committees (similarly constituted on a national basis, and under the chairmanship of the Director of Employment) have also been set up in some industries where employment problems have important nation-wide ramifications. 56. The main functions of the Advisory Councils and Committees may be summarized as follows : (a) To watch over and advise on employment trends in industry. (b) To assist the Department in a study of local employment information and forecasts and in any action arising out of these. (c) To help the Department to secure workers for and to maintain an adequate labour force in the industry. (Immigration is, of course, an important factor in this respect.) (d) To assist in the placement of disabled ex-servicemen and other persons requiring special consideration in the industry. (e) To advance liaison between local employers and all agancies available to assist the industry in improving industrial welfare and efficiency, training, vocational guidance, &c. (/) To bring matters to the notice of the Director of Employment where such action is appropriate.

Number Details of Cases serviced during Period. Month. of Aids employed. Maternity. Sickness. Other. Total. 1946 April 47 64 81 17 162 May 64 83 86 21 190 June .. 63 143 163 15 321 July63 247 304 33 584 August 57 231 274 27 532 September 67 220 195 41 456 October 62 191 137 16 344 November 63 180 143 8 331 December 59 162 104 3 269 1947 January 57 131 107 22 260 February 57 115 130 28 273 March 57 118 143 13 274 Totals 1,885 1,867 244 3,996 i