§ 31. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the reasons for the increased unemployment in the coal trade during the last months?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY if LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)The net increase in these figures, which was almost entirely confined to men temporarily suspended from employment appears to have been mainly 320 due to seasonal influences, no doubt accentuated by a reduction in consumption due to the exceptional weather conditions of recent weeks.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONIs it not a fact that this reduction is not mainly taking place in the export districts?
§ Mr. HUDSONI think the fact is that the normal seasonal reduction in employment in the coal mining industry took place much later this year than last year. Last year there was an increase of unemployment in the earlier months, amounting to 96,000, compared with 27,000 this year, but the leeway this year was made up this last month.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a decrease in the number of those employed in this industry, and an increase in the number of employed who are affected by seasonal circumstances, and are the Government investigating that position?
§ Mr. HUDSONThe lion. Member will recall that that point was raised on the Estimates the other day, and that I showed that the men were working more shifts per week this year than last year.
§ Mr. LAWSONBut is it not true that the number definitely employed in the industry is decreasing, and that an increasing number of workers are being affected by seasonal conditions. Whole collieries are now being touched by seasonal fluctuations which formerly were not subject to them?
§ Mr. HUDSONNo, Sir, because the number of unemployed, even after the big increase last month, is still less than it was in the corresponding period of last year.