§ 39. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Labour the increase in the number of young men entering the mining industry during the past six months; approximately how many of these have come from the London area; how many young men who have desired to enter this industry have been rejected for medical or other reasons; and how many have withdrawn or have been discharged as unsuitable after a few weeks' experience.
§ Sir W. MoncktonDuring the six months to the end of September, some 11,700 young men under the age of 18 entered coal mining, and 324 others who wished to do so were rejected on medical 1644 grounds. I regret that the other information requested could not be made available without a special examination of individual records.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the Minister say, in general terms, whether his advertisement campaign is having any result in the London and Greater London area?
§ Sir W. MoncktonMost of those recruited—the numbers are about the same as in the previous year—are from coal mining areas. That has always been the case. I could not without notice answer the hon. Member's question about London.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Department fully seized of the fact that even if all the sons of miners in miners' homes entered the mining industry, they would not balance the wastage? Is his Department therefore seized of the crucial fact that we must in future recruit from non-mining families also?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI am well aware of that. A widespread publicity campaign to encourage recruitment and to reduce wastage is being run jointly by my Department and the National Coal Board.