HC Deb 19 September 1940 vol 365 cc171-3
66. Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mine workers unemployed in County Durham; whether steps are being taken whereby an equitable share of all orders for home supplies is given to collieries in County Durham, and redundant workers are permitted to accept employment in other coalfields or industries; and whether mine workers definitely retained upon grounds of national urgency are now to receive full wages for all working time involuntarily lost?

The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)

The number of unemployed mine workers registered by the Ministry of Labour in County Durham at 12th August was 4,178 wholly unemployed and 13,506 temporarily stopped. Steps are being taken, so far as transport conditions and the qualities of coal produced permit, to give an increased share of orders to Durham. Steps are also being taken, in consultation with both sides of the industry, to encourage the transfer of coal miners from Durham to other coal-mining districts where they are needed, and there has been some relaxation regarding coal miners who are unemployed and wish to take up work in other industries. As I said on 20th August in answer to my hon. Friend, it is necessary to keep a sufficient margin of man-power available in the coal-mining industry to meet all possible demands, and to provide against local interruptions arising out of war conditions. I cannot add to my answer of 20th August in relation to the payment of full wages for short-time working.

Mr. Adams

The replies which I have received hitherto have been to the effect that men who are involuntarily unemployed and are retained at the mines do not receive wages for the time lost. It seems an inequitable arrangement. Will the Minister not consider the matter further?

Mr. Grenfell

I think I must ask to be excused. Questions touching unemployment benefit must be addressed to another Minister and not to me.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the Minister make further inquiries with regard to the removal of the present restrictions on alternative employment, because many men are complaining that although they have been permitted by colliery managers to seek employment in munition works, when they go there they are sent back by the Employment Exchanges?

Mr. Grenfell

I am well aware of that, and I have discussed that aspect of the question with representatives of the Durham mineworkers, who are well informed on the subject, and who are in constant touch with the mineworkers, with ourselves and with the Ministry of Labour. I am meeting to-morrow the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and these two districts of Durham and South Wales will be represented. We are doing everything we can to try to relieve the pressure of unemployment in those two districts, which have suffered such a grievous injury by the collapse of the export trade in circumstances known to everyone in this House.

Mr. Thorne

Does the advice to people to store away coal still stand?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Lawson

On a point of accuracy. The Minister stated that the number wholly unemployed was 4,000 on 12th August, but that would not be representative of the situation now. It is actually worse now.

Mr. Grenfell

There would be an addition to that figure, but it would not be advisable for me to give other figures than those which were given to me by the Ministry of Labour.

Mr. Lawson (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to deal with unemployment among miners in certain coalfields?

Mr. Bevin

As my hon. Friend is aware, I arrived at an arrangement with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Mines by which there was allocated to the coal industry in May last a labour force which was calculated to meet the requirements of that industry on the basis of the anticipated increased production. I also prohibited people from leaving the industry and undertook to direct others back to the industry. The collapse of France and the loss of European markets completely altered the situation. I have been in constant communication regarding this problem with my hon. Friend, and in order to meet the new situation I took steps to modify the administration of the Order by causing a cessation of the return of people to the mines and further gave instructions that in those districts where inert were unemployed they should be released for other industries. This is a national problem which I am sure the coal industry wish to tackle on a national basis. At present practically all men in the coal industry who are accustomed to work underground are reserved from calling up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act. That position must, I am satisfied, be altered and the whole matter put upon a more satisfactory basis by calling up a substantial number of coal workers of the lower ages. I am in consultation with my hon. Friend the Minister for Mines as to the numbers who should remain reserved and as to the steps that should be taken to deal with the surplus. I hope to have an early opportunity of discussing the whole matter, in association with my right hon. Friend, with representatives of the organisations on both sides in the industry.