HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 c371
14. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of redundant miners who left Fife in the two years to 30th June, 1960, to take up employment in the car industry in the Midlands; and how many are now unemployed.

Mr. Hare

No redundant mineworkers from Fife have been placed in employment with motor-car firms in the Midlands by my local offices during the period in question.

Mr. Gourlay

Is the Minister aware that not only miners but a number of other persons have left Scotland in the past few years to take up work in the car industry in the Midlands and that, because of redundancy and short-time working, many have returned to Scotland but have failed to find employment? Will he ask his colleagues in the Government to take immediate action to arrest the recession in the car industry so that the projected expansion of the industry in Scotland will not represent merely a transfer of jobs from the Midlands and a threat to existing workers in the Midlands?

Mr. Hare

I have told the hon. Member that my office has no record of any miners from Fife returning to Scotland after having been placed in the motor-car industry.