Polish Miners
24.
asked the Minister of Labour how many Polish volunteer miners, who have finished their training, are now employed in the mines in this country; how many are still unemployed; and what is the cost hitherto incurred of maintaining trained Polish miners who are unemployed.
Approximately 8,000 Poles are at present employed in the, coal- mining industry. It is over two years since there was any delay in employing Poles immediately their training was completed. I have no record of the cost incurred by the National Coal Board at that time in maintaining them pending employment after training.
Retired Officers
26.
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a number of retired officers of the three Services, with high technical qualifications, are finding it very difficult to obtain employment on account of their age; and if he will endeavour to utilise the services of these officers in the rearmament programme.
The number of such officers registered with my Department is less than 50, and about half of these are at present under consideration for suitable posts. I hope employers will make the greatest possible use of the services of these officers.
As there may be a number of officers who do not know where to apply, can the Parliamentary Secretary say to which branch or Department they should make application?
There is an Appointments Department Advisory Council on which each of the three Services is represented. The Council does its best to look after these ex-officers.
Up to what age are they looked after?
Half of these people are already over 55 years of age. We have no maximum. They are represented on the departmental committee and we are trying, along with the Service representatives, to secure employment irrespective of age.
In view of the appeal made by the Minister of Labour the other day to employers to do their best for these men of a certain age, will the Minister have another shot at it to see whether more can be done? The stories and letters on the subject that we receive are very terrible. Little employment seems to be achieved by these officers.
We are most concerned about the incidence of unemployment among older people, and we are taking the advice of both sides of industry. We will do everything in our power to help these men.
Yes, but cannot something be done in the Government's services? The Government appeal to private employers but do not take similar action themselves.
If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the figures which I gave in a recent Adjournment Debate, he will find that the Government have a very good record indeed.
Bradford
28.
asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed in the City of Bradford; and what is the number of building operatives unemployed with their respective occupations.
As the reply includes a Table of figures, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the reply:
The total number of unemployed persons on the registers of the Bradford employment exchange at 15th January, 1951, was 730. This figure includes the following numbers of men and boys whose last employment was in the building industry:
Occupation. | Number. |
Carpenters | 4 |
Bricklayers | 2 |
Plasterer | 1 |
Painters and Decorators | 39 |
Plumber | 1 |
All other occupations in the building industry (mainly labourers) | 65 |
112 |
Factory Inspectors
30.
asked the Minister of Labour why some firms are informed when a visit of inspection will take place, so enabling tidying up, the proper fencing of machinery and necessary whitewashing.
It is not the practice of factory inspectors, except in special circumstances, to give advance notice of an intended visit. If the hon. Member will let me have the details of any particular case he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.
Territorials
32.
asked the Minister of Labour whether the proposed protection of Class Z Reservists against loss of employment or holidays will be made available also for Territorials.
This matter, together with many others arising out of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 29th January, 1951, is being urgently considered.
Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Territorials give not only their 14 or 15 days a year but also one or two nights a week, and that it would be very helpful indeed if they had the same privileges?
Can the Minister say whether it would be possible to give an answer next week in the Defence debate?
I cannot say. I can only repeat that the matter is under most urgent consideration and that a statement will be made as soon as possible.