HC Deb 24 July 1891 vol 356 cc310-1
MR. PICKARD (York, W. R., Normanton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will grant a Return stating the ages of persons working underground in mines under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, above 16 and under 21 years of age, and the nature of their work?

MR. J. WILSON (Durham)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers may I ask if he will add to such a Return the number of hours worked in the collieries?

MR. MATTHEWS

I cannot undertake to grant this Return. I have no right to call upon the owners of every colliery in the Kingdom to furnish me with the details asked for, and it would be difficult in any case to provide the information with any degree of accuracy. In the summary tables of the Census the hon. Member will find some statistics which bear upon his inquiry.

MR. PICKARD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether a similar Return has not been granted in relation to another class of labour, and is there more difficulty in this case?

MR. MATTHEWS

I can only refer the hon. Member to my answer.

MR. PICKARD

But will the right hon. Gentleman give me the reason for refusing such a Return?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have done so in the answer I have just given.