HC Deb 14 March 1928 vol 214 cc1895-7
16. Sir ROBERT THOMAS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, have informed the Industrial Transference Board that, having regard to the distress among coal miners, they are prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the employment within their organisation of as many ex-miners as possible, as and when opportunity occurs; and whether he will circulate information of this offer among other industrial concerns which could employ ex-miners, with a view to inviting similar action on their part?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The Industrial Transference Board has already approached a number of big employers of whom Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, were one, asking them to give sympathetic consideration as and when opportunities occur to unemployed work-people in the hard hit areas when they are filling vacancies. I hope that employers generally will feel able to follow this policy.

Sir R. THOMAS

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate the information? Will he endeavour to increase the circle of those who have this information?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

We do everything possible to increase the circle, but the mere circulation of information in print is not necessarily the best way of persuading employers to follow this example.

Sir R. THOMAS

What way does the right hon. Gentleman propose?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Personal interview, very largely.

Mr. BATEY

Is the Transference Board in a position to assist financially miners in distressed areas to go to these trades?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I do not think that point arises from the question. If the hon. Member puts down a question, I shall endeavour to answer it.

20. Mr. R. RICHARDSON

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners were unemployed in the County of Durham for each month of the year 1927 and for January and February of the present year; and if he is taking any measures to find work for those so unemployed?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Every effort is being made with the assistance of the Industrial Transference Board to find opportunities of employment for as many of these men as possible.

Mr. BATEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, Sir. Every effort is being made with the assistance of the Transference Board to find opportunities for employment for as many of the men as possible, and, as I stated in reply to a previous question, numbers of employers are being approached, personally and otherwise, in order that such opportunities may he given.

Mr. BATEY

Has the Minister succeeded in finding work for any men yet?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, certainly, a considerable number.

Mr. RICHARDSON

In the County of Durham?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

In the County of Durham. If the hon. Member reads the reply which is being circulated, he will see that the total number of unemployed has gone down from 44,000 or 45,000 in one month, and 43,600 in the next month, to 34,000.

Mr. GLYNES

In reference to the work of the Transference Board, may I ask if at some early date we may have a report of its work?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I will consider whether any report can be made, which will be illuminating to the House. I have explained on more than one occasion—I do not think the right hon. Gentleman was in his place—and I wish to try again to make it clear, that the Board itself has no executive power. What it does is to try to use the existing executive departments in order to speed up the work and bring it more prominently before the notice of those by whom employment can be given.

Mr. LAWSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman state that the reduction of the unemployment register in Durham means that men have got work?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

As far as I am aware that is an inference which can reasonably be drawn.

Mr. LAWSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the Transference Board has got these men work?

THE FOLLOWING TABLE shows the numbers of persona classified as belonging to the Coal Mining Industry recorded as Unemployed in the County of Durham from January, 1927, to February, 1928, inclusive.
Date. Wholly Unemployed. Temporary Stoppages. Total.
1927.
24th January … … … 38,123 6,794 44,917
21st February … … … 36,012 7,634 43,646
21st March … … … 33,969 3,325 37,294
25th April … … … 32,055 1,647 33,702
23rd May … … … 30,053 6,266 39,319
20th June … … … 30,469 8,340 38,809
25th July … … … 37,078 26,420 63,498
22nd August … … … 37,399 11,183 48,582
26th September … … … 35,203 7,125 42,328
24th October … … … 36,131 4,138 40,269
21st November … … … 35,668 2,521 38,189
19th December … … … 35,173 1,280 36,453
1928.
23rd January … … … 33,475 3,277 36,752
20th February … … … 32,074 2,801 34,875