§ 115. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour how many persons from Eire and Northern Ireland, respectively, have been recruited for the coal-mining industry; what are their age groups; in what districts of the coalfield are they employed; and what living arrangements have been provided for them.
§ Mr. IsaacsIn the last 12 months approximately 3,300 men from Eire and 800 men from Northern Ireland in the age-group 18–35 years have come to Great Britain for work in coalmines in all the main coalfields. No figures are available for those who came over at an earlier date. During the period of training they normally live in hostels attached to the Government Training Centres. Subsequently they move to hostels where these exist near their employment or to convenient private lodgings.
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§ 116. Mr. D. J. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour if efforts are still being made to recruit labour for the mines from Eire and Northern Ireland; and what is the estimated number of workers that can be obtained from these sources in 1947.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. Since 1st January, 1947, a weekly average of 128 men from Ireland have come for work in coalmines in Great Britain. It is hoped to maintain this rate of recruitment for a number of months at least, but it is not practicable to estimate the total number of men likely to be attracted to such work throughout the whole of 1947.