§ 62. Lieut. - Colonel HOWARD - BURYasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the low wages paid to the miners in the South Staffordshire district; what are the causes of these low wages; and what steps he is taking to improve these?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am aware generally of the rates of wages of colliery workers in South Staffordshire. General fluctuations in wages in each district have been determined since the autumn of 1921 by the financial results of the working of the collieries, in accordance with the terms of the National Agreement of July, 1921, which is now to be renewed with modifications. The matter is not one over which I have any powers.