Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Trade Dispute. – in the House of Commons am ar 6 Rhagfyr 1926.
Mr Walter Forrest
, Batley and Morley
asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government is considering any schemes to find employment for the miners who have permanently lost their employment in the mines; and, if so, what action is contemplated or is being taken in connection with this matter?
Sir Henry Betterton
, Rushcliffe
As the hon. Member will know, the extent to which miners will not be reabsorbed depends on a great many factors, and it would be premature, indeed impossible, to attempt to deal with it until the position becomes much clearer than it is at present. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that it is a problem which is engaging the close attention of the Government.
Mr George Oliver
, Ilkeston
May I ask what steps the Ministry is taking to see that men whom the colliery companies have refused to take back on the ground of the active part they took during the strike, are reinstated?
Sir Henry Betterton
, Rushcliffe
That is an entirely different question, and if the hon. Gentleman will either put down a question or see me, I will give him what information I can.
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Doncaster
Do I understand that the Minister is going to do nothing in this respect until he sees what effect the lengthening of the working day is going to have on the industry?
Sir Henry Betterton
, Rushcliffe
No; what I said was that it would be premature to give any information until we know the size of the problem we have to face.
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Doncaster
Is the hon. Gentleman of opinion that the lengthening of the working day will increase the number of men employed in the industry?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
