HC Deb 15 June 1948 vol 452 cc224-6
8. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Labour how many men of East and West African and West Indian origin are registered as unemployed in the City of Manchester at the nearest convenient date; and what were the comparable figures for 1945, 1946 and 1947.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

Mr. Griffiths

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are a considerable number of unemployed coloured men in the City of Manchester; and, in view of the difficulty they are facing in securing employment, will he do everything possible to dissuade these irresponsible people who are sending shiploads of West Indians to this country without there being any jobs here waiting for them?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The latter part of the supplementary question will be dealt with in answer to the next Question on the Order Paper. On the first part, our difficulty is not in finding these men jobs but in finding them private billets. Private billeting raises a matter of very great social consequence, and embarrasses us very greatly indeed in placing these men.

9. Mr. McCorquodale

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any further statement to make on the circumstances surrounding the journey of 400 West Indians to this country to seek employment.

10. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Labour if he has been able to ascertain how many of the 400 West Indians, who are on their way to this country in search of work, are skilled workers and in what trades; on what date their ship is due to arrive; and what provision is being made for their accommodation on arrival.

Mr. Ness Edwards

I understand that these men are coming to Great Britain at their own expense and of their own initiative. I cannot say how many of them are skilled workers until they have registered at an employment exchange, where their qualifications and experience can be assessed. I understand that the ship is due on 22nd June. Provision of accommodation for persons who arrive in Great Britain in these circumstances is not a matter for my Department.

Mr. McCorquodale

Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it would be very much better if these men were interviewed before they left, and proper arrangements made for them by the time they arrived?

Mr. Ness Edwards

The right hon. Gentleman has had great experience at the Ministry of Labour and he will know how extremely difficult it is if even our own people are transferred about this country, and it now falls upon the Ministry of Labour to find them accommodation. The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Ministry has accepted that responsibility only for any worker it drafts, directs, or finds work for in any part of the country. If we are now to be asked to do this for these men, we are being asked to do something for them which we have refused to do for our own people.

Mr. McCorquodale

When these men do arrive, does the Parliamentary Secretary expect full co-operation from the trade unions, employers and others in assembling them into mines, transport and other occupations where they might be of use?

Mr. Ness Edwards

That raises a difficulty. I hope the House will excuse these lengthy answers to supplementary questions. Only last week we had to stop a trainload of voluntary workers coming to work in the mines of this country because we had not the accommodation, which makes the position still worse. No matter what co-operation we may have from the employers and trade unions, our great problem will be accommodation.

Mr. Driberg

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the reference to accommodation was only included in the Question because last week his right hon. Friend, answering a Question on this subject, did say that accommodation would have to be found for these men; and, although obviously it is impossible to prevent British subjects who choose to pay their own way from moving from one part of the British Empire to another, does the Parliamentary Secretary not recognise that a very serious problem does arise here, and will he do his utmost, in conjunction with the Colonial Office Welfare Department, for these men?

Mr. Ness Edwards

We are prepared to do all we possibly can, but I should make it quite clear that we can do no more for these men than we do for our own men in this matter. We will do no more and no less. That is the position.

Mr. Gammans

As these people are British subjects, will not the Parliamentary Secretary arrange to have this ship met, and some arrangement made other than just decanting them into London; and can he assure the House that there is no colour prejudice in any of the trade unions for the trades in which these people might seek employment?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I can assure the House that there is no colour prejudice at all with regard to their employment. The great difficulty is in getting these people into private billets. If our people will not take them, we are up against a real difficulty.

Mr. Gammans

Will not the right hon. Gentleman answer the question?