§ 28. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour how many miners were registered as unemployed in Yorkshire on 1st January, 1928; and on the latest date for which figures are available?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe number of insured persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry recorded as unemployed in Yorkshire at 19th December, 1927, was 13,346 (including 5,516 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers) as compared with 21,893 (including 12,434 temporarily stopped) at 20th February, 1928.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman bring these figures to the notice of the Transference Board and invite them not to transfer miners to Yorkshire, where there are already over 20,000 miners out of work?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIt is not for me to advise the Transference Board what recommendations they will make, but I will take care, in deference to the request of 1157 the hon. Member, that these particular figures are brought to the notice of the board.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs it not an understood thing with this new Department that the first chance of employment given to miners should be in a coalfield?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThat is a question that I could net answer in a supplementary answer, but, broadly speaking, what the hon. Member says is true.
§ Mr. PALINGCan the hon. Member say exactly what he means by "temporary stoppage"?
Sir F. HALLIs it not owing to the unfortunate action of many hon. Members above the Gangway that we have this large amount of unemployment in the mining world?