§ 12. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of displaced persons who were found employment in the mining industry from 1947 to date; and how many have left since 1947 to take up employment outside the mining industry.
§ Mr. IsaacsApproximately 11,000 displaced persons who came into this country under official schemes were found employment in coalmining. Although these workers have not been able to leave the mines without the permission of my Department, separate records have not been kept of the numbers who have actually taken up other employment.
§ Mr. SlaterIs my right hon. Friend aware that many of these people have left the mining industry to take up occupations in various parts of the country, in factories and so on, and will he not agree that the money that has been involved in seeking to train these people for the mining industry has been more or less wasted?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir. I have no information to indicate anything of the kind. None of these men can leave this industry without permission, and if that permission has been given, bearing in mind the trouble taken to get the men and train them, my hon. Friend can rest assured that there would have to be good reasons before men are allowed to leave the industry.
§ Mr. EdenCan the right hon. Gentleman give any sort of idea of the percentage of the number of men who actually left after being trained for the mines?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir, but as the right hon. Gentleman has asked that question, I will make an effort to get the information. It means that we shall have to check on every man. We shall try to get the information, as it is so important. Of the number who were trained, 10 per cent. failed to qualify at the training centre, and it may be that those who 178 had partial training and then failed to qualify have taken work elsewhere, and confusion may arise on that point.