HC Deb 13 June 1940 vol 361 cc1360-1
4. Mr. Batey

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he can state the number of persons unemployed on the latest available date in the county of Durham, and the number of such persons classified as miners?

Mr. Assheton

At 20th May, 1940, the total number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham was 49,600. Among insured persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry, the number recorded as unemployed in the county at that date was 5,799.

Mr. Batey

Does the hon. Gentleman not recognise that 49,000 unemployed today is an enormous number? Is any special effort being made to reduce this number?

Mr. Assheton

I think the House has already been informed that arrangements are now being made by which the register is being carefully examined with the assistance of employers and representatives of the trade unions in each area.

Mr. Shinwell

If work cannot be found in the mines for these 5,700 miners who are unemployed, is it not possible to find alternative work of national importance, such as digging trenches or other work?

Mr. Assheton

All those who are without work in the mines are certainly needed, and I hope that arrangements will be made to transfer them to places where there is work for them.

Mr. Batey

Are we to understand that these 5,700 men are not fit to work in the mines and that that is the reason why they are not there?

Mr. Assheton

No, I did not say that.

Mr. Shinwell

The Parliamentary Secretary said that he hoped work would be found, but can he give us some assurance that work will be found?

Mr. Assheton

We are doing it as fast as we can.

Mr. Batey

And that is not very fast.