HC Deb 04 November 1948 vol 457 cc1027-8
51. Sir John Mellor

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he took to publish his decision to permit coal miners to leave the industry within three months of entrance; when, and in what form, this decision was signified to the National Coal Board; and why similar relaxation from control was not extended to agricultural workers.

Mr. Isaacs

There has been no recent relaxation of this control. My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary announced on 24th July, 1946, that special consideration would be given to new entrants to the coalmining industry, so that no one need be deterred from giving coalmining a fair trial by the fear that he would be compulsorily held in it against his will. The trial period was originally six months, but this was reduced to three months in April, 1948, after discussion with the National Coal Board and National Union of Mineworkers, both of whom were informed by letter of the change. No general publicity has been given to this practice but potential recruits are told of it individually. The circumstances of recruitment for agricultural work are not the same, and no similar practice was felt to be necessary.

Sir J. Mellor

Is it not important that this should be widely published, so that potential recruits to the coal mines should know what they will be allowed to do if they enter the industry?

Mr. Isaacs

We consider that the posting of information in the employment exchanges, and the advising of applicants there, since any applicant for work has to go there, was satisfactory in the circumstances.

Sir J. Mellor

I did not refer to people who have already applied for work in the coal industry. I am talking about the general public, and particularly about young men who might be willing to go into the mines if they knew that they would be permitted to leave in three months if they wanted.

Mr. Isaacs

We might post the information at Eton and Harrow and get a little help from there.