72. Mr. BECKETTasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that over 30 miners have had their benefit stopped at the Gateshead Employment Exchange for refusing work at Doncaster, and that these men have had no opportunity of representing their case to the Committee prior to the stoppage of benefit; that Doncaster is one of the worst areas in the county for housing accommodation; and that the men offered work there are usually married men, with families, who cannot support two homes on the present miners' wage; and if he will inquire into this case?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI understand that a number of claims of miners at Gateshead have been disallowed by the chief insurance officer for refusing apparently suitable employment at Doncaster. The decision is subject to appeal to a Court of Referees, and I cannot, therefore, enter into the merits of these particular cases. I should like to add, however, that special procedure has recently been put into operation with the object of making quite certain that in cases where it is proposed to transfer miners to other districts, full opportunity is given to the 2472 miners concerned or their representatives to put forward all relevant considerations with regard to housing accommodation or otherwise before a decision as to disallowance of benefit is reached.
Mr. BECKETTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the secretary of the Fanny Pit Miners' Lodge went to the Employment Exchange to make the representations mentioned and was not able to secure any consideration?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI know the circumstances which are alleged on each side, but, quite obviously, the proper thing to do in a case like that is not for me to discuss the merits when the matter can be taken to the Court of Referees, and it should be taken there, I think; if they are not satisfied.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the arrangements that he has said refer to the transfer of workmen from one place to another apply to other married workers unemployed in one district who are asked to take employment in another district? Are they general, or do they apply only to the miners?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo. In this case they apply particularly to the miners, because it is an attempt jointly, in co-operation with the Miners' Federation, to try to see that where transfers take place it should be done, as I say, together with them, in order that within the same district the miners, first of all, are given the offer of employment, and when they are exhausted inside the district, every preference should be given, in the case of those coming from a distance, to those coming from places where unemployment among miners is most acute. That is possible with the Miners' Federation, and I should be glad to consider it with any other body, if possible.
§ Mr. BATEYWill the Minister tell us whether he has made inquiries as to what number of empty houses there are at Doncaster, and if there are any at all now or have been during the last 12 months, seeing that hundreds of miners have had their benefit stopped?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have made inquiries, but I think it would be distinctly wrong of me to prejudice a case before it has gone to what is the Appeal Court. I have made inquiries.
Mr. BECKETTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many Yorkshire miners already unemployed who might go to Doncaster, and that this appears to be merely an excuse for refusing them benefit?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not aware of that at all.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in all these South Yorkshire mining districts the average number of families in each house is between two and three?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIn most of the new mining districts, putting it generally, housing is one of the most acute difficulties—I am now talking generally and not as regards Doncaster specially—and that is one of the reasons for trying to make this new arrangement which we have tried to set up.