§ 38. Mr. Moelwyn Hughes(for Mr. James Griffiths) asked the Secretary for Mines whether a limit has been put to the expansion of the industry in South Wales; whether, in consequence, men are being transferred to other areas; and whether he can state the reasons for this action?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe arrangements for the return of men to the mining industry under the registration scheme have been under continuous review by the Coal Production Council, on which both sides of the industry are represented. While it was decided that as far as possible men should be allotted to the districts, or even to the pits, in which they formerly worked, it was impossible to disregard the question of transport facilities for the coal; otherwise, men who had been required to return to the industry might well find themselves idle at times during the coming winter. On this account, it was necessary to limit the number of men to be re-employed in South Wales, and in a number of cases suitable men have been transferred to the Midland coalfields, where coal transport presents less difficulty and the men could, therefore, give 1618 better service to the country in these critical times.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonDoes not the Minister's reply indicate that transport difficulties in Wales are bringing about a reduced output of coal?
§ Mr. GrenfellNot yet.
§ Mr. A. BevanDoes not the Minister's reply mean that an area which has suffered already from economic conditions over which it has no control is to be further handicapped for the sake of districts which already had artificial assistance?
§ Mr. GrenfellMy hon. Friend knows that there has been already considerable rehabilitation of the industries in South Wales since the collapse of the export trade 12 months ago.