§ 52. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Labour why the trial period, during which recruits to the coal mining industry have been permitted to obtain other employment, was reduced in April, 1948, from six months to three months; whether this reduction applied to any of those who entered before the reduction was announced; and how many recruits left the industry during the six month and three month trial periods, respectively.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe reduction was made in agreement with representatives of the industry because it was felt that a three months' trial period was sufficient. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative. As regards the last part of the Question, I regret that statistics are not available.
§ Sir J. MellorWould not more recruits be attracted to the industry if the period were longer?
§ Mr. IsaacsWe take the advice of the industry upon these matters, and upon that advice we accepted the period of three months.
§ 54. Sir J. Mellorasked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to 564 ensure that any disciplinary measures adopted by the National Coal Board shall conform with the undertaking, given to the House of Commons on 24th July, 1946, by his Parliamentary Secretary, that coal miners, who are discharged from a colliery, will be at liberty to find themselves employment at other collieries.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 24th July, 1946, has no relation to disciplinary measures, agreed by both sides of the industry, designed to deal with persistent absenteeism.
§ Sir J. MellorAs the National Coal Board are the sole employer in the industry and as coal miners are compulsorily held in the industry under the Control of Engagement Order, are not the men in fact in a cleft stick?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. Gentleman asked me a Question about disciplinary measures and I have answered that Question.