HC Deb 13 May 1931 vol 252 cc1189-90
54. Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that some 2,700 miners, who were employed at the Bedwas Colliery, Monmouthshire, ceased work there on 8th November, 1930, and have been drawing unemployment benefit continuously since that date; and, seeing that on the 1st December following the company made an offer to the miners and their agents to restart the mine for work on wages and conditions similar to those paid by collieries in the same district working the same seams of coal, which offer has not yet been accepted, whether he will take steps to secure the resumption of work in this colliery?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, a representative of my Department has, at the invitation of both sides, attended a series of meetings at Bedwas, in the course of which the position has been fully explored and the points at issue appreciably narrowed. These meetings are to be resumed on Friday.

Sir F. HALL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous amount of unemployment benefit that has been entailed because these people would not go back to work? Can he give the House any idea of how much has been paid to these 2,700 miners who have refused work?

Mr. SHINWELL

Questions regarding unemployment benefit should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. As regards the question of getting the men back to work, we are doing our very best.

Sir F. HALL

Has it not been the general practice among Government Departments that, if information is required of them, they communicate with the other Departments that may be concerned; and is that the custom under the present Government?

Mr. SHINWELL

That is so, but the further information for which the hon. and gallant Member now asks is asked for in a supplementary question.