§ Mr. DENNISONasked the Minister of Labour whether, with regard to the number of unemployed miners from South Wales who have been transferred to Birmingham, he will state their number; whether they have been transferred in accordance with a recommendation of the Industrial Transference Board; how many have found employment and its nature; 2630W from what source has their removal costs been met; whether he is aware that the number of unemployed persons in Birmingham has increased by 4,000 during the last six weeks; and whether he will refrain from importing unemployed persons to an area where there are already 28,976 persons seeking employment?
§ Captain MARGESSONI have been asked to reply. Thirty-eight men have been transferred during the past four weeks from South Wales to the Birmingham area. Employment was found for all, but one abandoned the work after a short while, and another declined the work offered at first, and when he later changed his mind the employer refused to accept him. The employment was in a variety of occupations. The fares to Birmingham were advanced under the Labour Exchanges Act, and part of them will be repayable by the men by instalments. My right hon. Friend is aware of the facts mentioned in the last part of the question, but employment in Birmingham if and has been much better than in many parts of South Wales. On the general question of these transfers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 5th July.