HC Deb 21 February 1957 vol 565 cc585-7
34. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Labour how many Hungarian refugees have been taken on in the coal mining industry.

Mr. Iain Macleod

About 3,900 Hungarian refugees have been taken on by the National Coal Board as potential coal miners.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

While appreciating that, and also appreciating that there has been a substantial rise in coal production this year, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend would confirm or deny that the South Yorkshire coal miners' lodges are refusing to take on these refugees? If that is so, will not he try to persuade them to take them on?

Mr. Macleod

For the moment, these refugees are undertaking, as of course they must, a course in English. After that, it will be necessary for them to have the usual preliminary training as coal miners. They are at present drawing surface rates of pay and are not actually mining coal. One hopes that in this period the difficulties that may arise about future employment will be ironed out. Many people want to do that, and I think that we can, on the whole, leave it to them.

Mr. Jay

While I share those hopes of the Minister, may I ask him whether he can tell us how many Hungarian refugee doctors have started to practise?

Mr. Blyton

Is the Minister aware that there is a national agreement by which the miners' leaders are under an obligation to recommend the acceptance of the Hungarians, and is it not a bad thing for hon. Members on this side of the House to try to jeopardise what is being done in this matter?

Mr. Macleod

I have answered a number of Questions on this subject. I have taken a completely consistent line, as the House knows. I very much want to see the employment of these men—I know that is the general view and the general wish—and I again express the view that we have the best chance of achieving that if we leave the problem to those most closely in touch with it.

Mr. Gaitskell

Further to the supplementary question put by my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), may I ask the Minister whether he recalls that in the debate that we had before Christmas on the Hungarian situation, I particularly asked that some steps should be taken by the Government to make it easier for Hungarian refugee doctors to practise, and was given an assurance that the Government were going into that matter; and can he give any further information about it?

Mr. Macleod

The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that does not arise out of this Question, nor is that matter within my province, but I will certainly take note of the point and bring it to the attention of my right hon. Friend.