Final report from National Assistance Board on the dispersal of Windrush arrivals, 1948. Catalogue ref: AST 7/1125
- In which regions of the country have the men settled?
- In which industries have they found employment?
- How does the National Assistance Board view the success of the process?
Transcript
EMPIRE WINDRUSH
West Indian Workers
Final Report
The Clapham deep Shelter was finally evacuated of Jamaican workers on Monday, 12th July, i.e., less than three weeks after their arrival. It is interesting to note that the Manager and Staff of the Shelter spoke well of the men’s behaviour and no incident of disorder or even minor loss of belongings was reported during the occupation period. On the 12th July a residue of 17 men were unemployed and had to be accommodated, by arrangement with the London County Council, in various Institutions. It is reported that a few of them have since found private lodgings.
- Employment. About 12 men in the London area remain unemployed, but the respective Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour are doing their best to place them. Little news has been received about the men who went straight to Tilbury to the provinces. It is thought, however, that they have succeeded in settling down. Otherwise, the Area Officers of the Colonial Office would certainly have seen or heard about them. It is possible, however, that some at any rate of the men who went to Liverpool and Manchester may have become part of the fairly large number of coloured colonials unemployed in the North Western Region. A report has been received from South Wales of a small group who have obtained employment in that area. As far as the operation of placing the men who came to London is concerned (over 230 in number) Departments may like to know that geographically the Ministry of Labour dispersed them in the following areas:
Scotland
South Wales
Gloucester
The Midlands
Lincs.
Chippenham
Their occupations vary, but in the main they are at present employed as or on-
Foundry work
Agriculture
Railways
Welders
Carpenters
Bricklayers
Painters
Tailors
A small group (10) have been accepted as trainees by the Broadcast Relays (Overseas) Ltd.
- Service Volunteers. Only 18 have finally accepted by the RAF to date. Approximately 12 are awaiting call-up. One man who volunteered for the Army has not reported again in the Department. In short, a very much smaller number. volunteered for the Armed Services than had been anticipated.
- Finance. Towards the end nearly all the men at Clapham ran out of funds and had to receive National Assistance. It is proposed to convene shortly an inter-departmental meeting of the Treasury, War Office, National Assistance Board and the Colonial Office for discussion of the final accounts which are now being received by the Colonial Office.
- I think it can be said that a situation which contained complex social and other difficulties has been in the main resolved satisfactorily.