HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 cc757-9W
Mr. J. Beattie

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 80 men from Northern Ireland were sent through

brokers and dealers for the period 1st April, 1939, to Stock Exchange firms the concession to Stock Exchange firms under Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, and the amendment of 1931 for the same period and from September, 1920, to 31st March, 1944; the extent to which each Stock Exchange has taken advantage of that privilege; the aggregate totals involved; and his reasons for continuing the concession during the present war.

Sir J. Anderson

The cost of the transfer forms issued free to the public for the period 1st April, 1939, to 31st March, 1944, was approximately £1,700. The following table shows (a) for each Stock Exchange the effect over the same period of the operation of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by the Finance Act, 1931, and (b) the aggregate total from the 1st September, 1920, when that Section came into operation, to 31st March, 1944.

the employment exchange to work in Great Britain as builders' labourers on a job near Tilbury on condition that when the job was finished they could return home; that on the completion of the job they were transferred to Portsmouth, placed upon a tender and taken four miles out to sea to shovel coal and are now stranded with no income; and what arrangements is he making to return them to their homes with adequate compensation for loss while they have been stranded.

Mr. McCorquodale

I am not aware of the existence of any condition such as that to which my hon. Friend refers. When the work at Tilbury came to an end the men concerned were placed on important work at Portsmouth, but they would not continue with this nor take other work in the area. Instead, they came to London, where they were offered further employment without delay, and I am informed that all those available for employment are now working. The question of permitting the return to Northern Ireland of these workers is one for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but I understand that in view of the present travel restrictions this is not possible. As work was available to the men, I cannot agree that they are entitled to any compensation for loss of work.