§ 31. Mr. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the numbers of miners unemployed in this country and the increasing opportunities for the employment of miners in Canada, he will confer with the Secretary of State for the Dominions and the trade union 1372 leaders with the object of helping unemployed miners to obtain good employment in Canada?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe question of finding further openings in Canada for unemployed miners from this country is receiving consideration and will, no doubt, be discussed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion affairs on his forthcoming visit to Canada. As the hon. Member will appreciate, the matter can only proceed in agreement with His Majesty's Government in Canada.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEHas the right hon. Gentleman seen a recent statement by a member of the Federal Parliament of Canada, now in this country, to the effect that there is employment in Canada for every unemployed miner in this country, and does he not think it worth while to explore the possibilities implied in that statement?
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that a delegate from Canada to the Trade Union Congress at Edinburgh advised us not to send any people from this country because they had a big unemployment problem themselves.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI should be glad to receive a copy of both statements, neither of which have I yet seen.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that British mine workers would prefer to produce coal from British mines rather than from any other part of the world, and will he provide opportunities for them at home?