§ 2. Mr. AYLESasked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the fact that, although the dispute in which the Bristol miners were recently involved was settled on 18th April, the miners for whom no work has been found are still refused their unemployment benefit; and what action she proposes to take in the matter?
§ Miss BONDFIELDMy attention has been called to the matter by the hon. Members for Bristol South (Mr. Walkden) and Bristol Central (Mr. Alpass). The questions raised are at present before the Umpire for decision on appeal.
§ 45. Mr. BATEYasked the Prime Minister in view of the increasing poverty among the mining classes in the county of Durham owing to short-time working and the continued dismissal of miners, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The short-time working and unemployment in the mining industry in Durham, which I deplore, is due to general trade depression which has adversely affected the inland consumption of coal and coke, and also to the diminution in the coal export trade. The Government is fully alive to the situation in the mining industry and is doing everything possible to mitigate the effects of the industrial depression on the coal industry.
§ Mr. BATEYWhen will the Prime Minister be in a position to say what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the situation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat had better be done by a Vote being put down.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the need for urgent action? Is he aware that in his own division in the Northern Press last night there is a report of two children dying from lack of food?