§ 27. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour what number of miners were unemployed in Wrexham and district during the months of October, November, and December, 1928; whether any miners have been transferred to other districts owing to unemployment; and, if there were no unemployed miners, whether any application was made to the Employment Exchange to procure miners from other coal areas?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe numbers of insured workpeople classified as belonging to the coal mining industry recorded as unemployed at the Wrexham Exchange were 223 at 22nd Octoher, 1928, 225 at 26th November, 1928, and 229 at 17th December, 1928. Wrexham is not regarded as a depressed area for the purpose of the Industrial Transference Scheme. A number of coal mining vacancies for special classes of workers not available locally have been notified to the Wrexham Exchange. Some of these vacancies have been filled by men brought forward from other areas and further transfers are being arranged.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not an expert in mining, like some hon. Members opposite, but? am told—
§ Mr. BUCHANANYou might make yourself an expert at your job. [Inter ruption.]
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the manager of the Gresford Colliery, Wrexham, quite recently stated that he required 300 colliers? Can the right hon. Gentleman account, therefore, for the number of unemployed colliers registering at the Wrexham Exchange?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe answer, as far as I am aware, is that a particular kind of miner is required because of the difference of seams in different places. I speak subject to reservation, but I undertand that, 937 according to the nature of the seam and the nature of the employment, one kind of collier from one district is more experienced than a collier from another district.
§ Mr. YOUNGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this situation is being taken advantage of to deprive men of benefit in other districts?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not aware of that fact.