HC Deb 23 May 1957 vol 570 cc1386-8
34 and 35. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many Hungarian refugees have now received sufficient training to make them employable underground;

(2) in which areas he has had difficulty in placing Hungarians for employment in the mines; and for what reasons.

The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)

I am informed by the National Coal Board that so far 480 Hungarians have received sufficient training to make them employable underground. The National Coal Board is responsible for their allocation to the mines, and I understand that some branches of the National Union of Mine-workers have objected to Hungarians being placed in particular collieries, mainly in South Yorkshire, the Midlands and South Wales. This is a matter for the Board and the National Union of Mineworkers who are, I understand, actively engaged in dealing with it.

Mr. Remnant

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I point out that it is still his responsibility, to some extent, to obtain employment for these men? If the objections lie on the score of personal risk, will he ask the Chairman of the Coal Board to consider whether training could not be designed with a view to allotting what have hitherto been regarded as uneconomic pits to be worked solely by Hungarian miners?

Mr. Macleod

I think that that Question goes beyond my responsibility in this instance. I have a general responsibility, of course, but in this particular case I have not. Indeed, the information which I give to the He use is passed on from the National Coal Board. I can say. however, that the numbers actually employed in the collieries have gone up by 70 or so since I gave a figure about a fortnight ago—207 have actually started. There are difficulties remaining, and I think that the only way to get over them is for the Board and the N.U.M. to get together.

Mr. Blyton

Is the Minister aware that the employment of foreigners in the mines is governed by the 1947 agreement, and that Questions like that asked by the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) are making it more difficult for the N.U.M. and the Coal Board to get over these difficulties? Could the Minister tell us how many Hungarians have been employed in the breweries?

Hon. Members

Answer.

37. Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Labour how many Hungarian refugees have been placed in industry other than coal mining.

Mr. Iain Macleod

About 11,000 Hungarian refugees have been placed in employment other than coal mining. This total includes refugees who were placed in temporary employment but have since emigrated to Canada, and the actual number now at work is somewhat less.

Mr. Mason

Does the Minister realise that there are very special difficulties in the way of placing Hungarians in the coal mining industry, as compared with other industries? First, the Hungarians have to go into areas where there is hostel accommodation available but not necessarily vacancies; and, second, they have to train for sixteen weeks before being accepted for work underground. Is he aware that at the present time discussions are taking place, particularly in Yorkshire, with a view to providing Hungarians with special facilities to work together in drift mines?

Mr. Macleod

That may be so. It is a very ingenious supplementary question, but it is not directed to the Question, which relates to all other industries except coal mining.

Mr. Robens

Is it possible for the Minister to answer the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Blyton)?

Mr. Remnant

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he has received any opposition from any other industries about the employment of Hungarians, and if he has, can he state which industries they are?

Mr. Macleod

It is true that the difficulties have mainly, indeed almost entirely, come about in coal mining, but there are special reasons there. The trade unions have been extremely helpful throughout, and I am very grateful for their co-operation.

Mr. Robens

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to answer the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. Blyton) as to how many Hungarians have gone into the breweries, particularly those associated with the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant)?