HC Deb 09 May 1940 vol 360 c1410
80. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines what recommendations the Coal Production Council has made as to how best to re-absorb into the industry the unemployed miners; and what action it is proposed to take to deal with the matter?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 7th May.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that there was very grave feeling caused by the publication in the Press of a statement that there are now actually 5,000 fewer miners at work than there were at the beginning of September, especially in view of the announcement that the Government intended to increase our output by 13,000 tons a year? Will he take an early opportunity of making a full statement to the House?

Mr. Lloyd

No authorised statement was made and I hope to take an early opportunity of making a statement to the House.

Mr. Griffiths

May I ask whether the statement that there were actually 5,000 fewer men employed was correct or incorrect?

Mr. Lloyd

I can say that tens of thousands of miners have recently been absorbed.

Mr. G. Griffiths

Will the Minister see that the men who are being victimised in the coal mines have work?