§ 32. Mr. Keenanasked the Minister of Labour how many men have been sent from the Liverpool employment exchanges, during the last twelve months, to the firm of Rylands Bros. Ltd., wire manufacturers, and the Whitecross Co. Ltd., wire rope manufacturers, both of Warrington.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsFigures for the last twelve months are not available. Since 1st December, 1947, 263 men from the 1993 Liverpool employment exchanges have been submitted to Ryland Bros., Limited, of whom 169 were engaged. During the same period, 67 men were submitted to Whitecross Company Limited, of whom 37 were engaged.
§ Mr. KeenanWill the Minister reconsider the question of sending unemployed persons to these firms in Warrington? The wages paid to these men when they get there are £3 plus 28s.—£4 8s. 0d. a week—and out of that they have expenses. Will the Minister discontinue sending anyone from Liverpool to that employment until they are properly paid for the job?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI cannot accept that they are improperly paid for the job. They are paid the rates which have been agreed by both sides in the industry. With regard to the excessive train fares from Liverpool to those works, I understand the employers pay any excess over 5s. a week.
§ Mr. KeenanWill the Minister inquire whether the figure of £4 8s. which I have given him is all they get and that expenses have to be taken from it? No married man can afford to go to Warrington on those conditions.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI am quite prepared to look sympathetically into the particular case which my hon. Friend has brought up. We do not wish to impose hardship, particularly on married men, and I shall welcome receiving the details from him.