§ 62. Mr. CONNOLLYasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, in percentage figures, the incidence of unemployment in the following industries for each half-year period commencing December, 1921, and ended December, 1928; all insured occupations; shipbuilding and ship repairing; iron and steel; coal mining; canal, dock, river, and harbour service?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have had the information desired tabulated, so far as it is available, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the, information:
§ insurance in respect of these men, they are now dependent upon charity and the local guardians for their maintenance; and whether he can throw any light on this matter?
§ Colonel Sir GEORGE COURTHOPE (Forestry Commissioner)The complaint referred to has been received. Forest workers at Tintern have recently been dismissed on the completion of the 337 operations for which they were required. The Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920, excludes from unemployment insurance persons employed in agriculture, including horticulture and forestry.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSDoes that apply to the men employed by the Commissioners?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEYes, Sir.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIn view of the fact that these 32 men are now entirely dependent on charity, is there any intention to re-engage them?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Commissioners give all the employment that they are enabled to give by the grants made to them by Parliament.
§ Major OWENIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a similar state of affairs exists at Bettws-y-Coed, Carnarvonshire, where a number of men formerly employed by the Forestry Commission have been dismissed and have no means of subsistence at all; and is it part of the programme of the Forestry Commission to start some further work in that area?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. MORRISONAre the Forestry Commissioners making any representations to get their grant increased, ill order that these men may be re-started in employment?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe House has voted a certain sum of money, which enables the Forestry Commissioners to undertake certain work. All the work that is rendered possible by the grant made by Parliament has been undertaken, but various operations, naturally, come to an end in due course.
§ Major OWENIs it the intention of the Forestry Commissioners to come to this House for more money for the purpose of afforestation schemes throughout the country? Is that settled I If they have not made up their minds, I think they ought to do so.
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEI think that that question had better be put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister sent a letter some time ago asking 338 all employers to keep as many men working as they could, and is he prepared, in view of that, to apply to the House for a supplementary grant in order that these men may be reinstated?
§ Sir G. COURTHOPEThe Forestry Commissioners are complying fully with the Prime Minister's request by giving the maximum employment that is rendered possible by the grant given by Parliament.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSWill the Commissioners, in view of all these questions and answers, tell the Chancellor of the Exchequer that in Wales we have idle land and idle men—