HC Deb 21 March 1962 vol 656 cc387-8
36. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, arising from the closing of Glenochil pit, families who, in accordance with Government policy, left their homes to man the new pit and were rehoused by the Scottish Special Housing Association and local authorities will be involved in heavy financial loss; and what steps he is taking to relieve them of housing and other liabilities assumed on the basis of Government assurances of employment in the area.

Mr. Galbraith

The Government Departments concerned are in close touch with the National Coal Board about the redeployment of manpower from this pit, and if necessary will be consulting with the local authorities about the possibilities of alternative employment.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware that the Government have collective responsibility for this through the Ministry of Power, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade? Is he also aware that large numbers of miners were persuaded to leave their homes in Lanarkshire and elsewhere to go to this area and undertake work in this great new pit, and that they took on liabilities, which they were perfectly justified in doing, in connection with the promise of twenty or thirty years' work? Are the Government not aware that this is in fact a moral breach of contract which in any other industry would have required compensation paid to directors and other people if the contract were broken? Are the Government not prepared to look into this whole question to see what can be done for these miners?

Mr. Galbraith

My information is that the National Coal Board hopes that with the co-operation of the unions it will be possible to redeploy the majority of the men affected.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware that even redeploying means that a man may lose £15 a week if he gets a job as an office boy after working as a trained man, and that is not exactly compensating him for the loss of his living? He may have many responsibilities which he will not be able to meet.

Mr. Galbraith

I think that any question of detail ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.

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