HC Deb 18 December 1961 vol 651 cc912-3
5. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 65 males employed by expanding firms in the Bishop Auckland constituency between November, 1960, and August, 1961, were employed immediately beforehand as miners or railway workers; and how many miners or railway workers became redundant in this constituency during that period.

Mr. Green

Our local officers placed 66 males with these firms between November, 1960, and August, 1961. Of these, 14 were last employed in coal-mining and three in railways. I am informed that, in the same period, nine miners and no railway workers became redundant in the hon. Member's constituency.

Mr. Boyden

While that sounds fairly reasonable, is the Minister not aware that the situation is very serious? Will he consult with his right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and the Minister of Transport to see whether it is not necessary to stimulate public works in the area by having an expanding programme of council house building, road building and reclamation of derelict land, because there is considerable unemployment in the area?

Mr. Green

I am very much aware of the unemployment problem in the area. But, of course, the whole of south-west Durham benefits from the facilities of the Local Employment Act. It follows that my right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friends are in fact in constant consultation on this matter. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to know that there are about 1,300 jobs in prospect in the development district, of which about 840 are in his constituency.

6. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour what is his forecast of the number of miners and railway workers likely to become redundant during the next 12 months in the Bishop Auckland constituency.

Mr. Green

It is not possible to forecast precisely the number of coalmining redundancies in the next 12 months until the local negotiations with the union are complete. I understand that there may be a very small reduction in railway posts, but it is hoped that most of the men will be offered alternative employment.

Mr. Boyden

Does that mean that the hon. Gentleman is having discussions with the director of the local division of the Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers and that these discussions are proceeding on a satisfactory basis?

Mr. Green

The local negotiations are between the Coal Board and the union. We are kept informed of all prospects and, indeed, of all events as they happen, and we shall certainly do our best to see that anybody who may by chance become redundant gets a chance of an alternative job.