§ 43. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of persons representing the normal capacity for employment in the coal-mining industry at the present time or at any given period during the last 12 months; and by how many the number 1947 of persons nominally registered as employable in the industry exceeds this figure?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAs I said in answer to a similar question by the hon. Member last week, the normal capacity for employment in the coal industry is a matter of opinion. The number of insured persons in the industry in July, 1930, which is the latest date for which a figure is available, was estimated to be 1,069,370. The number of wage earners on colliery books on the same date was 910,600. The two figures are not, however, strictly comparable as the former excludes all persons below the age of 16 and over the age of 64, while the latter includes wage earners of all ages. In addition some thousands of salaried persons are included in the first figure but not in the second.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIn view of the number of miners who cannot obtain employment in the industry, may I ask whether the Government have any plans to absorb then!, into the industry or to find them other employment?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThat is an entirely different question.