§ 62. Mr. ADAMSONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn by the Lanarkshire Miners' Association to the condition of the families of Poles and Lithuanians, formerly working in the coal mines, who have returned to Russia to serve in the Army there; whether he is aware that the dependants of these men left in this country have no means of support and have had to sell their furniture to buy food, and that a movement is on foot by the owners of house property in the mining districts to evict these people for non-payment of rent; whether he is aware that if these people are evicted the miners of Lanarkshire have determined to cease work in protest; and whether steps can be taken to provide these people with financial assistance in view of their being bereft of their breadwinners?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I have seen a representation on this subject addressed by the Miners' Association to the Coal Controller. I am not yet in full possession of the facts as to recent developments, but the position of these poor people is very unhappy, and in view of their concentration in limited areas the [...]elief afforded by the Government in the ordinary case of aliens becoming chargeable to the Poor Rate owing to the War Seems inadequate. I am in communication with the Treasury in the hope that Some special and immediate form of assistance may be granted.