§ SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND WORKERS.
§ 15. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Labour what are the approximate numbers of men employed in the coalmining industry, how many of these actually work underground, and how many are surface workers; and whether the recent demands made by the miners for shorter hours and increased pay apply to surface workers equally with underground workers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply to this question. The approximate number of persons employed at coal mines in the United Kingdom on the first day of last month was 848,100 underground and 216,600 on the surface. The demand for shorter hours of work and increased rates of pay applies to both classes of workers.