§ 63. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what factors govern the allocation of Polish mining volunteers to the separate districts of the coalfield; and if he will give the numbers so far allocated to each coalfield.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe main factors governing the allocation of Polish volunteers for coalmining employment are the willingness of the local branch or lodge of the National Union of Mineworkers to agree to the employment of Polish workers; the existence of vacancies for adult entrants without previous coalmining experience; the existence of suitable accommodation; the desirability of placing additional labour in pits with a high output per man, and the minimum period within which new labour can be up-graded to productive work at particular pits. Up to 14th April, 27 Polish volunteers had been allocated to collieries in the West Midland Division and 54 to the South Western Division.