§ 42. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among the trade unions in Coventry concerning the notification of vacancies in the city; and if he will reconsider his decision not to reintroduce the Notification of Vacancies Order.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have studied Press reports about dissatisfaction among trade unions in Coventry. The Notification of Vacancies Order, 1952, did not prohibit the operation of employment agencies, and I see no reason for departing from the view which I expressed to the hon. Member in answer to her Question on 23rd October, 1956.
§ Miss BurtonDoes the Minister ever intend to make any progress at all? Does he realise that in Coventry at present the trade unions believe very strongly that some of the officials in the car factories are receiving commission for giving private information to the private employment agencies about jobs that become vacant? Would it not be a good thing to have an inquiry to find out whether that is correct or not?
§ Mr. MacleodI have read all the Press reports. If the hon. Lady has any additional information, I should be very glad if she would come and talk to me about it. A Notification of Vacancies Order would not affect this problem, and the question of legislation to deal with fee-charging agencies was dealt with by the previous Home Secretary before Christmas.
§ Miss BurtonBut does the Minister not realise that I was asking him whether he is not aware that this is the feeling of the trade unions in Coventry and not merely the subject of Press reports? Is he prepared to look into that aspect?
§ Mr. MacleodIndeed, I said that I would do so.
§ 43 and 44. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he is aware of the necessity of providing retraining for some of those workers unemployed in Coventry; and if, as a 28 matter of urgency, he is now prepared to investigate the possibility of such courses being provided by the Government;
§ (2) whether he is aware that some of those unemployed in Coventry are unable to accept jobs elsewhere because the wage offered is insufficient to meet the obligations of a home in Coventry while living elsewhere; and if, in view of the deteriorating employment position now obtaining in the city, he would be prepared to reconsider his decision not to offer lodging allowances or some similar grant in such cases.
§ Mr. CarrThe need for training for skilled work in Government training centres has been kept under review but the number of applications for training from persons living in Coventry declined during 1956.
§ Although there has been a deterioration in the employment position there in the last six months, the number of wholly unemployed is no higher than 1.4 per cent. of the employed population and does not justify the payment of lodging allowances. But I will certainly keep the position under review.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Minister aware that I have in my possession figures supplied by the Confederation in Coventry on 17th January showing that up to date there are 3,510 workers unemployed in the car industry, and 20,000 on short time? Is he not prepared to look at this matter? Is he not going to do anything to ensure that these people get jobs? There are no jobs in Coventry.
§ Mr. CarrThe number of unemployed actually grew less in Coventry between September and December, when the percentage was only 1.4. I have not the January figure, which will be available officially in two or three days. The matter will be kept under close review.
Mr. LeeWill the hon. Gentleman not tell the House about the big increase in part-time employment and is he aware that, judging by the way things are going, these people will soon become unemployed and will bring the figure to about half-a-million? Is he aware that this is a very important issue?
§ Mr. CarrI assure the hon. Gentleman that I meant what I said when I assured the House that we would keep the matter under close review, but I was asked about the present position, and that is the Question that I have answered.