HC Deb 19 December 1946 vol 431 cc2156-7
33. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of staff employed by the Coal Board at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Shinwell

I have at present no information as to the number of staff employed or engaged by the National Coal Board. The main part of the staff will of course be taken over on the vesting date.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to obtain that information, as he is entitled to do under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, and give it to the House of Commons?

Mr. Shinwell

The National Coal Board are in the process of engaging staff, and it will be some time before they complete their arrangements. We can see about this later on.

Major Peter Roberts

Is the Minister not aware that in Yorkshire alone there are over 4,000 staff, without any proper offices, already piling up?

Mr. Shinwell

That may well be, although I do not commit myself to the figure, but, if so, they are persons ordinarily employed in the coal trade.