§ 8. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Minister of Labour how many Italians, Belgians, Poles and men of other nationality from overseas are working in the coal mines; and what is the present shortage of manpower in the coal mining industry generally.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOn the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Sir C. Taylor) on Monday, 11th June. On the second part, the present coal mining labour force is 705,000 and it has been estimated that by the end of the year 713,000 men could be usefully employed. In view of wastage very substantial recruitment would be necessary to achieve this figure.