§ 27. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons representing the normal capacity 1047 for employment of the coal-mining industry; and by how many the number of persons nominally registered as employable in the industry exceeds this figure?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe normal capacity for employment in the coal mining industry is a matter of opinion, but if the hon. Member will let me have any particular dates, I will endeavour to give him the actual numbers employed at those dates and the number of persons then registered as employable in the industry.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEAre the Department or the Government taking any steps to absorb the redundant labour in the mines; and how do they intend that this labour should be disposed of?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the hon. Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to give the best answer possible.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the hon. Gentleman admit that there is a considerable redundancy—