§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he has now reached a decision in the cases of Messrs. L Eccles-ton and William Yates, respectively, of 345 and 418, Manchester Road, Blackrod, Chorley, Lancashire, who, already employed on work of national importance, from which they would not have been released but for his directions to return to work in coalmines, involving an immediate reduction in their wages of about £3 per week each and an increase in travelling; and will he instruct Employment Exchange officers to inform persons so directed that they have a right of appeal against such directions and state the time limit for such appeals?
§ Mr. TomlinsonMr. Eccleston was medically examined and found to be unfit for coalmining employment and accordingly is not being transferred to coalmining. Mr. William Yates, who was also medically examined, was certified to be fit for coalmining employment and was directed to report for work at the Pemberton Colliery, near Wigan, where he began work on 19th September. It is true that he has to travel in two omnibuses to reach his employment, but the whole journey can be done in 35 minutes. Mr. Yates will be paid the appropriate agreed rate for the coalmining employment. I am informed that his basic rate is higher than that of his previous employment for the same number of hours, but that his previous earnings included considerable payments for overtime. He 481W was told that he had a right to appeal to the Appeal Board within four days, but he did not do so, and I cannot, in view of the vital necessity for increased coal production, reverse the decision.