§ 39. Mr. MARCHasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that last week 12 men were discharged from a large building alteration going on at the corner of Commercial Street and White-chapel Road to make room for 12 transferred single men from South Wales and that most of the discharged men are married, with families; and what he proposes to do for these discharged London men?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI understand that the engagement of a number of workers from the depressed areas on this contract was in no way responsible for these discharges. The men discharged were non-unionists, and were replaced by union labour as a result of trade union action. If the discharged men register at their local Exchanges, efforts will be made to find employment for them.
§ Mr. MARCHCan the right hon. Gentleman say that they were all non-unionists, because the one who brought the information to me was a trade unionist belonging to the same organisation as I do?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Member will communicate with me and give me any information which would lead me to modify that statement, I shall be glad to receive it.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman's original answer indicate that the transference scheme does not diminish, but merely redistributes, unemployment?
§ Mr. SEXTONIs there any truth in the statement that miners from South Wales have been sent to places where there is no employment for them, and are now pushing ice-cream barrows through the streets?