HC Deb 25 November 1947 vol 444 cc1801-2
Mr. Gallacher (by Private Notice)

asked the Minister of Labour if he will withdraw the eviction notices issued to industrial workers occupying hostels in the area of Cowdenbeath for the purpose of accommodating displaced persons until suitable alternative accommodation has been found for these workers.

Mr. Isaacs

This is one of the National Coal Board hostels. I understand that they have given notice to leave the hostel to certain industrial workers who were occupying places in it on a purely temporary basis pending the accommodation being required by miners. My welfare officers are doing their best to help the men to find alternative accommodation.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not very undesirable that Scottish workers should become displaced persons in order to provide accommodation for other displaced persons; and would not this action, in itself, make the situation of the displaced persons problem very difficult in that area in a manner not in any way helpful to production?

Mr. Isaacs

The hostel was established for miners. I am not in a position to say whether or not those who are going in are displaced persons. I only saw this Question quite recently. These men are, in fact, miners with work waiting for them in the mines, and they can only go down the mines when they get accommodation in the hostel. As far as the other men are concerned, we have already found alternative accommodation for 30 of the industrial workers and, in conjunction with other organisations, we are actively engaged in finding other accommodation.

Mr. Scollan

Has not the Minister missed the point? The resentment that will be felt by the local people being put out by displaced persons coming to that area will make it very difficult to secure the proper conciliatory feeling that might be obtained amongst the miners who are to train the displaced persons. Is it not well worth reconsidering this matter?

Mr. Isaacs

The point is that they are miners hostels, and the miners want them. As to their welcome in the locality, it is only fair to say that up to now we have found that a very ready and warm welcome has been given to these people when they settle down. The crux of the point is that these industrial workers were told that they could only have this accommodation temporarily and must give it up when required.

Mr. Scollan

There was no alternative.

Mr. Charles Williams

Are not these hostels in precisely the same position as tied cottages?