§ 13. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to establish training centres for the purpose of retraining redundant miners and railway workers in Scotland.
§ Mr. HareI am opening two new training centres, one in Lanarkshire and the other in Fife. I am also providing additional classes at the training centre at Hillington, Glasgow.
§ Mr. BenceWould the right hon. Gentleman consider and support the claim of many of us that redundant coal miners who have spent their life in the coal mining industry should be entitled to full wages while they are being retrained for other occupations in other industries?
§ Mr. HareI do not think that the point arises out of this Question. Doubtless the hon. Member would like to put down a Question to the appropriate Minister; perhaps he will accept that as my answer.
§ 14. Mr. Benceasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to find alternative employment for redundant railway and mineworkers especially those over the age of 45 years in the county of Dunbartonshire.
§ Mr. WhitelawThere will be some redundancies in adjacent areas outside the county boundary. Our officers will do their best to assist all workers who register for employment.
§ Mr. BenceAs a one-time resident of my constituency, would the hon. Member take steps and use his good offices to see that redundant miners who are 45 years of age and more are not barred from other occupations because they are that age merely because of the terms of certain superannuation schemes? As he knows the area very well, does he not agree that it is an area in which men who are 45 and over ought to be given an opportunity of alternative employment when their mines are closed and they have no work or hope of work?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe hon. Member has made an important point which will be widely accepted. The employment of older workers is a difficult matter and anything which anyone, inside or outside the House, can do to help would be most valuable.