HC Deb 06 February 1951 vol 483 cc1516-7
24. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Minister of Labour how many Polish volunteer miners, who have finished their training, are now employed in the mines in this country; how many are still unemployed; and what is the cost hitherto incurred of maintaining trained Polish miners who are unemployed.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Frederick Lee)

Approximately 8,000 Poles are at present employed in the, coal- mining industry. It is over two years since there was any delay in employing Poles immediately their training was completed. I have no record of the cost incurred by the National Coal Board at that time in maintaining them pending employment after training.