§ 11. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the labour unrest in the Barnsley coalfield, and that the Grimethorpe colliery men are still dissatisfied with the stint they are being asked to work; and in view of the urgency of preventing disputes, what his conciliation officers are doing to prevent a repetition of last year's stoppage.
§ Mr. IsaacsI am aware of the position in the South Yorkshire coalfield. There is established constitutional machinery in
§ tary to get more workers into the cotton industry, and thus build up the amount of material.
§ Mr. PiratinIs not the Minister aware that some of these men have been signing on at the employment exchanges for some months and have not been offered alternative work?
§ Mr. IsaacsI should like to have notice of that question and go into it, because it may be that alternative work has been offered to them, but at such a distance that it may not have been convenient for them to travel to it.
§ 13. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Labour whether he will set out the number of unemployed registered at the Settles Street and Burdett Road, Stepney, employment exchanges, in each case showing the various industries concerned.
§ Mr. IsaacsAs the reply involves a table of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ the coalmining industry for the prevention and settlement of disputes, and it would not be proper for my officers to take any action that might impair the authority of that machinery. I am sure, however, that there is full appreciation in the Yorkshire coalfield, as elsewhere, of the need in the national interest to avoid any disturbance to this vital production.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the existing machinery is working sufficiently well to prevent a repetition of the trouble we had last year?
§ Mr. IsaacsI do not know whether any machinery could always prevent trouble, but I am satisfied that the machinery is in operation. It has its difficulties, but we think it would only complicate matters if the Government were to step in before the local machinery operated.
§ Mr. SylvesterIs my right hon. Friend aware that the question of Grimethorpe is now being discussed with the appropriate consultative committee? Furthermore, is he aware that there is very little unrest in the Barnsley area, and that the figures show that only last week at least 12 pits in the area beat their own targets?
§ Mr. IsaacsIt is very gratifying to have that firsthand information.
§ Mr. ScollanSince this kind of question is allowed, are we to take it that now the Government are accepting the right of any Member in the House to raise any question about nationalised workshops or factories anywhere in the country?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat question does not arise here.