§ Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that 30,148 additional miners were unemployed at the end of May than in February of this year; to what does he attribute the cause of such increase in unemployment; and what steps the Government are taking to find these men alternative employment?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe greater part of this increase has occurred within the last month, and is probably due in part at least to a reduced demand for coal for domestic consumption. I would refer the hon. Member to my statement during the course of the Debate in the House on 30th April as to the measures taken by the Government to facilitate the transfer of unemployed miners to other industries.832W The problem is being studied by the Industrial Transference Board, whose Report will, I understand, he in the hands of the Government shortly.