HC Deb 23 September 1943 vol 392 cc364-5
23. Sir Charles Edwards

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and boys who have been directed to go to underground work and the success which has attended this direction; and the number of volunteers for work in the mines since the option was given for this or the services?

Mr. Bevin

With regard to the first part of the Question, I regret that the information is not available, and could not be obtained without disproportionate expenditure of effort. With regard to the second part of the Question, up to 31st August the number of men who had effectively opted for underground mining in preference to service in His Majesty's Forces was just under 5,000. Of these, 3,099 had up to that date been placed in employment in coalmines and 1,103 in mines other than coalmines.

25. Mr. Cocks

asked the Minister of Labour whether, pending the adoption of a general system of conscription of young men for the mining industry, he will suspend the practice of directing youths employed on surface-work in collieries to work underground without giving them the alternative of joining the Services?

Mr. Bevin

As this matter comes within the scope of the forthcoming Debate, I would ask my hon. Friend to await my statement on this subject.

Mr. Cocks

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, and will await with interest what he has to say. But will he bear in mind that the suggestion contained in this Question represents the almost unanimous opinion in the coalfield?

Mr. Bevin

I thank my hon. Friend for awaiting my statement I do not think his Question is really based on the facts.

27. Mr. Sloan

asked the Minister of Labour the number of youths in the 17-years-old group who registered in the city of Glasgow on 18th September and opted for the mines; and how many youths of the same age group attending public schools in England volunteered for the pits?

Mr. Bevin

I am obtaining the available information, which I will send to my hon. Friend, but I should mention that separate figures are not obtained as between one school and another.

Mr. Sloan

Will by right hon. Friend give me any information on the first part of the Question, as to how many registered and how many opted in the city of Glasgow last Saturday?

Mr. Bevin

I cannot tell; it is too early to get the information.

Mr. Sloan

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I could give it to him?