§ 77. Mr. FORRESTasked the Secretary for Mines the differences in respect to working conditions in the coal mines of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium, more especially as regards depth of shafts and thickness of seams?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane-Fox)I fear that it would be quite impossible for me to do this within the 1725 limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question. It is probably true to say that, generally speaking, geological conditions are in our favour.
§ 79. Mr. FORRESTasked the Secretary for Mines the number of hours per shift worked in the coal mines in Great Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXIn Great Britain the law requires that not more than seven hours shall elapse between the time when the last man of a shift leaves the surface and the first man returns to the surface. On the average, therefore, it may be said that a man is allowed to be below ground for the purpose of his work or of going to and from his work for a period of seven hours plus one winding time, or, on average, rather over 7½ hours bank to bank. In France, Belgium and the Ruhr coalfield of Germany, the limit for each individual workman is eight hours bank to bank.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the people who are raising the question of hours in the mining industry of this country are rendering the very greatest disservice to the cause of peace in the mining industry?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWhy is a hen?
§ Mr. LAWSONWhy? Because there will never be an increase, that is why!