HC Deb 11 July 1940 vol 362 cc1309-10
4. Mr. Magnay

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many Gateshead miners are not allowed by his Department to undertake other work, although they are only receiving unemployment pay, when they could earn as much as £6 per week on armament work; and will he see that it is made possible, by taking away his restrictions, for these men to work more than two or three days a fortnight?

Mr. Bevin

To meet the changed circumstances resulting from recent events, I have, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, issued instructions that unemployed coal miners for whom employment in their own industry is not immediately available, should be submitted for other employment. I am also making arrangements to allow men who are on short time to work in other industries as a temporary measure until more regular work in the mines is available for them.

Mr. Robert Gibson

Will my right hon. Friend make a similar arrangement with regard to the relief dockers in Greenock, who are subject to a similar prohibition to take other work?

6. Sir Percy Hurd

asked the Minister of Labour approximately how many of the registered unemployed must now be regarded as incapable of useful employment; whether they will be excluded from future returns of unemployment; and what further measures are being taken to use the effective unemployed for the national war effort?

Mr. Bevin

A general review of the Register is now being undertaken to assess the suitability for employment of all persons who have been unemployed for one month or more. Meanwhile the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part of the Question, I have this matter under consideration. As regards the third part, the review that has already taken place of the unemployed in certain industries has proved most helpful in getting men back into employment, and I am hopeful that the general review will have similar results. I have already made provision for payment of travelling and subsistence expenses of men who take important work away from home, and am considerably expanding the facilities for men to take training.

Sir P. Hurd

Can we now anticipate in the near future that the unemployment reports will really show the exact position of affairs and not give a false impression?