HC Deb 17 June 1925 vol 185 cc487-90
35. Mr. SEXTON

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Golborne Collieries, Lancashire, made application to St. Helens Labour Exchange for colliers; that a number were sent and one of them, Edward Baines, was refused work, though a fully qualified collier living less than three miles away, while others were taken on who lived over six miles away but, owing to the distance and there being no travelling facilities, could not go; and will he inquire why Baines was refused work?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am making inquiries into the circumstances of this case, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

37. Mr. LOUGHER

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that nearly 800 men of the Lady Lewis pits, South Wales, who refused to accept employment such as is customary in many other pits, have been granted unemployment benefit; and why it has been granted in these circumstances?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

These claims to benefit were referred on appeal to the Umpire, who decided in favour of the claimants. I am sending a copy of his decision to the hon. Member. As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, the Umpire is the final authority in such cases.

38. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons ordinarily employed in the mining industry in Yorkshire were unemployed at the end of the first week of June, 1925; and how many were unemployed in the same week in 1924?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

At 25th May, 1925, the latest date for which industrial statistics are available, there were 9,931 persons recorded at Employment Exchanges in Yorkshire as unemployed in the coal mining industry, as compared with 2,343 at 26th May, 1924.

Mr. MAXTON

Is this the most favoured county in the whole of the British coalfields, so far as unemployment is concerned?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I could not say if actually it is the most favoured, but it is one of the most favoured, in any case. I should have to get the exact figures to be able to say whether it is the most favoured, but, undoubtedly, it is in one of the most favoured positions.

Mr. LUNN

Is it not a fact that this number is increasing every day?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I think, broadly speaking, it is true to say that unemployment in the coalfields has been considerably on the increase, and is still so to-day.

Mr. J. HUDSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman making any special arrangements or efforts to get from the Ministry of Mines some new policy which will meet this situation?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am quite sure the House will agree with me it is not possible to give a reply to that in the form of an answer to a question. The whole question, as every mining Member, or anybody who has to do with mines, knows, is an extraordinarily difficult problem. It might come out in discussion, but it could not conceivably be condensed in the form of an answer.

Mr. MAXTON

The Prime Minister, I think, is due to say something. He has admitted that Capitalism is breaking up. Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is time? Is he not going to say something. We have had Debate after Debate on the Adjournment Motions on this subject, but we have had absolutely nothing from the Secretary for Mines, and matters are going from bad to worse, and this is the best county. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order! Order!"] May I press my point, Mr. Speaker? Surely I am in order? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order! Order!"]

Mr. KIRKWOOD

The Speaker will tell him if he is in order or not.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman is not entitled to debate the matter.

Mr. MAXTON

Mr. Speaker, I am putting a question to the Prime Minister.

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Member was making a statement.

Mr. MAXTON

No, Sir.

Mr. HARDIE

May I ask the Minister of Labour whether he can say that the condition of the coal trade in the particular part of Yorkshire mentioned is due to the higher efficiency in the coal getting, or to the higher quality of the coal?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the Minister of Labour not aware that in Yorkshire at this moment there are many collieries paying from 10 to 20 per cent. dividends, while other collieries are going out of employment; and does he think that until all the mines are taken as one unit there is any possibility of matters becoming better?

Mr. LANSBURY

May I—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"] I want to ask a supplementary question.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Do not let hon. Members think they are going to browbeat us.

Mr. LANSBURY

I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Labour whether he does not think that his Department ought to ask the Prime Minister to give this House the time now, at once, to discuss this question of unemployment; and is it not a fact that not only in the mining industry but right throughout the East End of London and South-East of London unemployment is increasing by leaps and bounds, and does he think, as Minister of Labour, that we ought to sit here day after day like dumb dogs doing nothing?

Mr. SPEAKER

That matter has been dealt with.

Mr. LANSBURY

Mr. Speaker, we have had no opportunity, no chance to deal with it.

Mr. SPEAKER

Will the hon. Gentleman listen to me? What hon. Members have to do is to ask for the Ministry of Labour Vote to be put down; they have the matter under their own control.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask this question, Sir? Whether we Members on this side can ask you to give us the Adjournment Motion? This is a matter of bread and butter to hundreds of thousands of people, and we do not feel we should sit here and kill time like this by doing nothing?

Mr. SPEAKER

I am sorry to say it is not by any means a new matter.

HON. MEMBERS

It is getting worse!

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a reason for asking for a day to discuss the matter in Committee of Supply.

Mr. MAXTON

On a point of Order. I put a question to the Prime Minister, who has eluded all questions on this subject, whether in Debate or anywhere else. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] This is not a matter for the Minister of Labour but for the Prime Minister, who refuses to answer. I think he ought to give an answer to the question.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman must hand in his question. I should like to see it.

Mr. HUDSON

May I—

Mr. SPEAKER

This is unfair to other questioners.

Mr. BUCHANAN

The matter is a most important one!