§ 24. Sir Edward Keelingasked the Minister of Labour why the cost of bringing miners from Italy to this country is a charge on the taxpayer instead of on the National Coal Board.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThis arrangement was made because of the paramount importance to the national economy of increasing the production of coal.
§ Sir E. KeelingWas it not the intention of Parliament that the coal industry should be self-supporting and should not draw money from the Treasury?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe men were brought here at the expense of the Government because at that moment the national need was very great and it was thought important that it should be done. The repatriation of the men will not be at the expense of the Exchequer.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWhat steps are being taken to provide, suitable alternative employment for Italian miners who are not being repatriated?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThat is a different question, but we are taking every possible step to secure employment for them.
§ Mr. T. BrownOwing to the increased number of recruits for the mines and the remarkable increase in the output per manshift worked—[Horn. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—oh, yes; hon. Members should read this morning's newspapers—is it not now unnecessary to import foreign labour into 825 British mines?