HC Deb 22 April 1920 vol 128 cc573-4
83. Mr. SWAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the quantity of work lost by the trimmers at Tyne Dock due to the method of coal control; and what action, if any, is being taken to balance the shipments on the Tyne, seeing Tyne Dock is down 47 per cent., while on the river as a whole is only down 6 per cent.; and if any action is being taken to pay the trimmers a minimum day's wage for days they lose, or otherwise bring them under Part II of the National Insurance Act for donation benefit?

Sir R. HORNE

I am aware of the diminution of work referred to, but it must be remembered that inland requirements of coal are responsible for greatly reduced shipments. The question of the diversion of coal from Tyne Dock to other places for shipment is under consideration by the local Coal and Coke Supplies Committee, following a discussion here with the trimmers last week. With reference to the last part of the question, coal trimmers are not insured under the National Insurance (Unemployment) Act, 1911–1919, but they are included among the classes it is proposed to bring into insurance by the Unemployment Insurance Bill now before Parliament. So far as any of the men are ex-service men and can satisfy the conditions of the Out-of-Work Donation scheme, they are entitled to receive donations in respect of unemployment.