§ 24. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary for Mines the approximate number of miners who have returned to work on an eight hours', seven and a half hours', and a seven hours' day, respectively?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)On the 4th December, the latest date for which I have figures, the numbers of workpeople employed on the basis of a seven and a-half hour and an eight hour underground working day were respectively about 265,550 and 456,160. So far as these figures relate to Northumberland and Durham, where the hewers are on a seven and a-half basis and the other underground workers on eight, they are necessarily estimates. I believe that a few pits in different districts are still working seven hours, but I have no information on which I could estimate the extent to which the figures that I have given should be modified on this account.
§ Mr. PALINGHas the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of any case where the hours put up by the owners have been subsequently decreased, as a result of negotiations between the owners and the men?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI cannot say without notice.