§ 14. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Labour the number of mineworkers in the county of Durham who have suffered injury at work and who, because of their condition after recovery, have been refused employment in the mining industry.
§ Sir W. MoncktonI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it possible for the right hon. and learned Gentleman to make inquiries of the National Coal Board and the area boards to ascertain whether there is such information or whether it is possible to find employment for these men who have recovered but are regarded as not entirely fit to undertake employment?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIn deference to the right hon. Gentleman's Question, I naturally made inquiries. I found that the National Coal Board did not have to keep records except with regard to those injured before the introduction of the National Insurance scheme in 1948 and that to get the precise information required they would need to circularise every colliery. If there is some less cumbersome way of getting what the right hon. Gentleman wants I will make every endeavour to get it.
§ Mr. T. BrownIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there are many jobs connected with the N.C.B. which these men could do if they were given the opportunity but that unfortunately there is a growing feeling in the mining industries that these jobs which the partially incapacitated men could do are being given to men who are fully physically capable?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI will certainly look into that since the hon. Gentleman draws my attention to it.