§ 76 and 77. Mr. WINGasked (1) what are the effective results of the Commission recently appointed to remedy the grievance of short-time working of the pits in Durham; has any advantage accrued and, if so, where; whether certain miners in Durham are still working short time; (2) whether the Coal Controller has received resolutions from a meeting of the miners of Seaham, Silksworth, and Dawdon Collieries, representing over 5,000 workmen, who during the last year were working little over half-time, in some instances less, and who now call upon the Government to so rearrange the area for the supply of coal as will find markets for their produce; to provide the necessary transport for the conveyance of the coal to market so that the workmen may be found something like reasonable employment; and, failing this, calling upon the Government to guarantee at least the minimum rate of wages applicable to the class of labour affected so that the people may be able to live in something like prewar comfort; and, if so, what steps have been taken by the Coal Controller to meet any of those demands?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)The Commission reported that the great majority of the collieries in Durham are working with a fair degree of regularity, though certain collieries hitherto dependent on export business are, owing to want of tonnage, losing a considerable amount of time. Arrangements have been made with the Coal Exports Committee to give preference in the matter of licences to export coal to those collieries at which short time is most prevalent, and this course has resulted in a substantial measure of relief. In addition to this, a considerable amount of inland trade has been given to Durham, and the allocation of these orders to the collieries losing most time has been placed in the hands of the Durham Coal and Coke Supplies Committee. The three collieries which the hon. Member mentions have all benefited from these arrangements. As regards the question of wages, I would remind the hon Member that a flat rate was arranged when the war wage addition was given, and that this addition is given in cases where time is lost through no fault of the men or the owners of the colliery.
§ Mr. WINGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the pitmen of the collieries in question commenced this year by one day's work only during the first week, and, owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice to call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.