HC Deb 28 February 1928 vol 214 cc223-4
70. Mr. SULLIVAN

asked the Minister of Labour why the district of Bellshill is not represented on the unemployed committee that meets in Bellshill; and why the miners have no representative?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)

There is no separate Committee for this area. It is covered by the Motherwell Employment Committee, on which miners are represented by a nominee of the Lanarkshire Mine Workers' Union.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Bellshill is a county area, and is it well that a county area should be represented from a borough area three miles away?

Mr. BETTERTON

Of course, we cannot have committees everywhere, but in this case there is a sub-committee of the Motherwell main Committee which goes down to that area.

Mr. SULLIVAN

What I want to know is why the Bellshill people are not represented on a Committee sitting at that place?

Mr. BETTERTON

The main Committee at Motherwell have appointed a rota committee to go down to the area, and it has on it a representative of the Lanarkshire Mine Workers Union, as mining is one of the principal industries in that area.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Can the hon. Member tell the House when a miner sat on that Committee at Bellshill which deals with miners' cases?

Mr. BETTERTON

That I cannot say without notice. The name of the representative on that particular Committee is Mr. Barr. When he last sat I cannot say.

Mr. SULLIVAN

Will the hon. Member take it from me that Mr. Barr has never attended at Bellshill?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in this very important industrial town no miners' representative has sat on the rota committee for some considerable time, and, in view of the fact that it is a big mining centre, will he take steps to see that the miners are represented by someone who sits constantly on the Committee?

Mr. BETTERTON

I will certainly look into that suggestion. As I say, Mr. Barr is the name of the representative, but whether he has in fact sat I cannot say. In view of the hon. Member's statement I will look into the matter.

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is the hon. Member aware that miners locally, who know all the circumstances have expressed dissatisfaction from time to time? Will he consult his local officials on this important matter?

Mr. BETTERTON

We have had no representations from the Motherwell Committee, and so far as we know the present arrangements are considered to be satisfactory by them.