HC Deb 22 June 1927 vol 207 cc1834-5
19. Mr. KIRKWOOD (for Mr. SULLIVAN)

asked the Minister of Labour to give the number of unemployed miners in the county of Lanark?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

At 23rd May, 1927, there were 12,211 insured persons classified as belonging to the coalmining industry, recorded as unemployed in the county of Lanark, including 2,372 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the Minister going to take any action in order to try and find these men work, because that is what the Employment Exchange was instituted for? Surely, that arises out of this question. He should be made to answer the question. [Interruption.] Is that what the Employment Exchange was started for? Are they going to get their money for nothing. [Interruption.] Why is there no answer?

Mr. SPEAKER

When an hon. Member asks a question, the Minister is not bound to answer a supplementary question which goes beyond his province.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

On a point of Order. When you put down the Minister of Education to-day and said that that was a question that had been finished with, he rose up, and, at his own discretion, replied to the question. Surely we have a right to ask the Minister of Labour to reply to us on a question having a serious effect on the working classes in Lanarkshire?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member rises very frequently under these circumstances.