§ 35. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there 18 are a number of experienced colliers in the Services in this country who are anxious to return to underground work in the mines but, owing to not being able to get a promise of work from the manager of the mine, cannot get their release; and will he give consideration to this matter and see if employment can be found for suitable men.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am aware that it is not possible to find employment for all the men claiming previous underground experience whom the Service Departments are willing to release. The collieries are not able to engage unlimited numbers of men not qualified to work at the face and it is particularly difficult to place men of this kind who left the industry many years ago or whose previous experience was short. I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made by my Regional Controllers to find employment for suitable men. If, as is suggested, men with face experience whom the Service Departments are willing to release have been refused employment at the face, I should be glad to have details.
§ Mr. TinkerIs the Minister aware that the present situation is very unsatisfactory? Men write to us saying that they cannot get consent from the colliery manager. Cannot he give power to the Regional Controllers to say whether a man should be employed or not? As to work not being available, this is the first time I have heard this lately in connection with the mines.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI can assure my hon. Friend that my Regional Controllers do not accept the simple statement that there is no room in the mine or anything of that sort, without a careful investigation. If my hon. Friend can bring to me any cases where that has happened I will be glad to look into them.
§ Mr. Tom BrownIs the Minister aware that there is a great deal of delay and frustration in the mining industry because of the lack of organisation of the Ministry's labour department? Will he take steps to see that this work is speeded up and get these men released?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot possibly accept that statement. Indeed, in regard to one particular Service, during the last fortnight over 1,000 men were submitted 19 and they have to be checked. We cannot allow people indiscriminately to leave the Forces. They have to be checked as to whether they were colliers before or not, and all that takes time.
§ Mr. FosterIs the Minister aware that an application for release from the Armed Forces has to be made to the colliery manager who will only apply for those men he wants? For that reason this machinery is breaking down and there are scores of qualified men in the Army who could be released for the mines.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThese things have to be checked. It has come to my knowledge in the past that people have put themselves down as having been employed in certain collieries when, in fact, they were not so employed at all.
§ Mr. TinkerI beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment, because it wants clearing up to the satisfaction of mine workers.