§ 21. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Minister of Labour whether any and, if so, how many unemployed miners have been found employment on afforestation schemes; and whether the possibility of finding work for unemployed miners on such schemes has been considered by his Department?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am unable to say how many ex-miners are at present employed by the Forestry Commission, but I can assure the hon. Member that the suggestion in the second part of his question has not been overlooked.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the large amount of land suitable for afforestation in the county of Durham, and will he consult with the Government to increase their efforts in this direction so as to give employment to miners who are unemployed in the county?
§ Mr. WELLOCKIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very profitable industry, and that there is a good opportunity for engaging miners, and will he make representations to the Government?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThis aspect of the unemployment problem is not overlooked, but I should be holding out false hopes if I said that I thought any considerable number of men could be employed in afforestation.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESWill the Department take into consideration the fact that a thousand at least of these miners have come from rural districts and have worked on the land, and to some extent at afforestation work?