§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the comparative cost to his Department of a redundant married coalminer who has to change homes due to being transferred to a pit in another district, when this is organised by his Department, and that of a redundant married coalminer who, also organised by his Department, has to transfer his home to work in some other industry.
§ Mr. GunterThe cost to my department in a case where a redundant married coal-miner has to change homes due to being transferred to a pit in another district is nil. This cost is borne by the National Coal Board.
The cost to my department of assisting a redundant married coalminer to transfer his home to work in some other industry varies according to the circumstances of the case and according to the facilities to which the redundant miner would be entitled.
The main facilities available are as follows: a free fare to the new area; a settling-in grant of £5 on arrival there; lodging allowance at the rate of 70s. a 156W week until he finds permanent accommodation; six assisted fares home per year (the worker pays the first 12s. 6d. of the fare); household removal allowance—the approved cost of removal of furniture and effects in full; a grant of £30 towards the incidental expenses of household removal; dependant's fares to join the worker in the new area; assistance (three-quarters of the cost subject to a maximum of £120) towards legal and other expenses of buying or selling a house; and an allowance of up to 70s. a week to cover continuing liabilities in the old area, until these can be wound up.