MINERS. (Hansard, 12 October 1939)

§ 7. Mr. Rhys Davies
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make it clear to those who make such appointments that miners who have been out of work for many years and who are not likely to be employed in the mining industry again may be appointed to air-raid precautions and other Civil Defence paid posts, in spite of the fact that their occupation is scheduled in the list of Reserved Occupations?

§ Mr. E. Brown
As I indicated in a reply to a question by the hon. Member for Lancaster, Newton (Sir R. Young) on 5th October, instructions have been issued which will enable the restrictions imposed by the Schedule to be removed in cases of the kind to which the hon. Member refers.

§ 11. Mr. T. Williams
asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that certain newspapers have published a statement to the effect that 500 miners were required in the Doncaster area where they could earn £6 per week, whereas 200 miners were given notice at Markham main colliery, near Doncaster, on Saturday, 7th October; and, in view of the hardship suffered by persons travelling long distances to take up jobs that do not exist, will he instruct Employment Exchange managers to warn unemployed persons against such unauthorised and inaccurate statements?

§ Mr. Brown
If any worker will take the trouble to inquire at his local Employment Exchange as to the likelihood of employment so advertised being available for him, the exchange will do its best to advise him. I do not think the Department can be expected to do more than this.

§ Mr. Williams
Will the right hon. Gentleman deprecate such publicity in view of the hardships that he knows are caused to men who travel from one place to another because they are anxious to obtain employment?

§ Mr. Brown
Certainly, and, as far as I can, I will see that such men inquire locally.

§ Mr. Williams
Will the right hon. Gentleman warn the Employment Exchange managers to make it known to men that they ought not to travel long distances because of newspaper advertisements for jobs that are not open to them?

§ Mr. Brown
It is impossible for any manager to know when a job mentioned in an advertisement is not in his area.

§ Mr. G. Griffiths
Will the Minister consult the Minister of Information over this?