§ 4. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Labour how many miners have been transferred under the Government scheme from Special Areas to the Kent coalfield; how many of these men were unemployed in January; and how many of them have been unemployed for six months or longer?
§ Mr. E. BrownFrom February, 1935, which is the earliest date for which statistics are available, to January, 1939, the number of men transferred under the Industrial Transference Scheme from the depressed areas to the Kent coalfield was 1,136, but the statistics do not show how many of these men came from the Special Areas. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I am afraid this information could not be obtained without a special survey, but it may help the hon. Member to know that on 16th January last the percentage of unemployment amongst miners in the Kent coalfield was 5.0.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that men have been transferred to the Kent coalfield, and after a short period of employment laid off, and in many cases have had to make their way back home as best they could?
§ Mr. BrownI am not aware of that. I have pointed out that this is the coalfield in which unemployment is very low indeed.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that in this particular coalfield it is very difficult to get continuous employment and that often men are laid off and have to make their way back home while other men are still coming in?
§ 5. Mr. Gallacherasked the Minister of Labour whether men sent from distressed areas to other parts of the country under the industrial transference scheme are given any guarantee of regular employment before transference takes place; and what percentage of men so transferred in the last five years are now in employment?
§ Mr. BrownNo guarantee of regular employment can be given by the Department when placing applicants in employment, but transference facilities are not granted unless the employment in the new area is likely to last for a substantial period, or is in an area where further suitable employment is likely to be available if necessary. In certain cases the facilities may be granted when, although no actual work is immediately available, there are good prospects of employment being obtained within a reasonable period. I regret that the figures asked for in the latter part of the question are not available.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that there are many cases of men who have been transferred getting only a short period of employment and then having to make their way home? Will he not make arrangements so that they get a recognised period of employment, and if they are dismissed within a shorter period, see that they have facilities to return to their homes?
§ Mr. BrownI do not accept the general assertion made by the hon. Member. If he has any particular case I shall be glad to look into it. As he knows, every citizen of this country is entitled to the full facilities offered by the Employment Exchanges.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the Minister agree that if they do not get a particular period of employment they should get their fare paid home?
§ 43. Mr. Dayasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons transferred 1413 from the depressed areas to the Metropolitan district of London for the 12 months ending the last convenient date; the number of these persons who were transferred to the borough of Southwark, giving comparable figures for the previous 12 months; and whether the persons in the latter category are still in the positions or employment which was originally found for them?