§ 53. Sir J. POWERasked the Minister of Labour the number of coal-miners now unemployed as compared with the end of June, 1928; and whether any calculation has been made as to what extent the decrease is due to absorption into the industry and to transference, respectively?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)At 25th March, 1929, the insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry recorded as unemployed in Great Britain numbered 147,534, including 134,776 wholly unemployed and 12,758 temporarily stopped. The corresponding figures for 25th June, 1928, were: wholly unemployed, 168,966 and temporarily stopped 130,483, giving a reduction in the numbers wholly unemployed of 34,190 and in the numbers temporarily stopped of 117,725. The greater part of the decrease in the numbers temporarily stopped is no doubt due to the resumption of fuller 716 working. Of those wholly unemployed it is not possible to say precisely how many have been transferred to other industries and how many re-absorbed. But, between 23rd June, 1928, and 23rd March, 1929, the numbers of wage-earners on the colliery books, as returned to the Mines Department, increased by about 13,000; this figure represents roughly the increased absorption of workers, over and above the fuller employment of those already partially employed.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of men who have been re-employed are actually working for not more than they were getting when they were unemployed, and that in many cases they are receiving less for working than they were for unemployment benefit? Is he aware of the conditions under which things are being conducted to-day?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir, that has nothing to do with the question put to me. If the hon. Member wishes to put a question to my Department, we will look into the matter.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many hundreds of thousands of miners are working short time from three days a week and upwards?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe number returned as working short time at the present moment, as I have already stated in my answer, is 12,758 temporarily stopped.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes "temporarily stopped" include all those working short time in addition to those temporarily stopped owing to breakdowns?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Gentleman will put down a question, I will obtain the information.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are hundreds of thousands of mine workers working short time in the country, some only for three days a week and some for four days, and that at least a majority of them are receiving some unemployment benefit?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI can make inquiries as to numbers, but that 717 there are hundreds of thousands at the present moment I do not believe for an instant.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSOf course, there are; you know there are.