HC Deb 25 November 1937 vol 329 cc1380-1
11. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Labour the trades or industries from which the men over 45 years of age who are now on the unemployed register at the Employment Exchanges come; and the figures for each industry?

Mr. E. Brown

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

Mr. Tinker

Will the Minister try to get this information because this kind of thing is growing, and if the names of employers were made public it would have some effect?

Mr. Brown

The difficulty is that it would involve most elaborate calculations to get the information.

Mr. Lawson

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed what the Special Commissioner says about this matter, that a large number of miners of over 45 years of age are being thrown out of work, and is he going to take any steps to have these men absorbed in the industry?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member is aware of the steps which the Government have taken, because the statistics referred to by the Special Commissioner were provided by me.

Mr. Lawson

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to get these men absorbed in their own industry?

Mr. Brown

We have done a great deal in the Special Areas, and we are taking administrative steps to call the attention of employers to the special case of workers over 45 years of age.