HC Deb 09 July 1940 vol 362 cc1069-70
32. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the unemployment in the coalfields, he is establishing training schemes for mine workers to enable them to aid the national endeavour in other spheres of industry?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)

I am afraid that I have no powers to initiate such schemes. If it should prove necessary to transfer workers out of the mining industry, training for other work would be the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

Mr. Adams

Is not my hon. Friend aw are that there is great discontent in the minefields on the part of those who are in enforced unemployment?

Mr. Grenfell

I am aware that there is rather a serious and I hope only temporary measure of unemployment in the coalfields just now, but it does not throw responsibility on me for the transfer of labour.

Mr. Lipson

Can the Minister say why there should be unemployment in the minefields when we in Cheltenham can get no household coal?

Mr. Grenfell

There are other factors in the distribution of coal which I can explain to the hon. Gentleman and probably to the House when the opportunity comes.