§ 50. Mr. BARKERasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 9th July, 1925, an applicant for employment at Cardiff Employment Exchange was sent to Newbridge, Monmouthshire, to distribute pamphlets printed by the Tudor Printing Works, Cardiff: that these pamphlets were issued in the interest of the South Wales coalowners on the present situation in the mining industry; and will he see that Employment Exchanges are not used for this purpose?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)Inquiry is being made, and I. will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have ascertained the facts. Assuming, however, that the vacancy was one for bona fide employment, I do not think the Exchange could have refused to deal with it, for the reason suggested in the question.
§ Mr. BARKERIs it in the interests of industry to use a Government Department in the interests of one side of a dispute?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs far as the Ministry of Labour is concerned, the matter is entirely one of employment, and exactly the same conditions would be applied either to the owners or to the Miners' Federation.
Mr. MONTAGUESupposing a person of that kind refused the employment, would he have been deprived of benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is a hypothetical question.