§ 9. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons in the coal industry who are unemployed; and whether there is any prospect of their early employment?
§ Mr. E. BrownAt 11th December, 1939, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 71,683 insured persons in the coal-mining industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. Of this number 23,499 were only temporarily suspended from work. Employment has been temporarily affected by certain difficulties, but these are receiving attention and there is reason to hope for further improvement in the industry.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance to the House that these men will be employed very soon; and is it not startling that so many men should be out of work at the present time?
§ Mr. BrownAs I have said on many occasions, and as the hon. Member knows, many of these registrations are of elderly men in areas where pits have closed down. As long as those men remain in their local villages where pits are closed the prospects are not very bright for their reoccupation in their industry.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy does the right hon. Gentleman not be frank with the House 196 and say that the Government cannot find employment for these men?
§ Mr. BrownI might as well ask the hon. Member to help me to secure that, where these men can be transferred elsewhere to get work, they should do it.