§ 49. Mr. BATEYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the terms of the Durham coalowners on which the pits will be restarted mean an increase of coal hewers' hours from one to two hours per shift, an increase of surface workers' hours of two hours per shift, a reduction of percentage from 110 per cent. to 89 per cent. and a reduction of the subsistence wage from 7s. 6½. to 6s. 8½d. per shift; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure a modification of these terms?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been asked to reply. The maximum time which men are allowed by law to be below ground is the same in Durham as in the other coalfields. Subject to that, the conditions in regard to both hours and wages are matters for arrangement between the mineowners and their employés, and I understand that the mineowners in Durham, as in other districts, have invited 22 the representatives of their workmen to meet them and discuss the offer which has been made.
§ Mr. BATEYWill the right hoe. Gentleman say whether, under these terms, the coal hewers' hours in Durham are being raised by as much as two hours per day, and whether the subsistence wage is being decreased from 7s. 6½d. to 8½ a day, which is altogether contrary to what the Prime Minister promised?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe Government are not responsible for the details of these offers at all. As regards the subsistence wages, the hon. Member has forgotten that the wages which he quoted carry with them certain allowances for rent and free coal.
§ Mr. LAWSONhas the right hon. Gentleman any reply to the statement that the owners of Durham have increased the surface hours from eight to 10, and is that part of the assurance that was given to the Prime Minister by the coalowners?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, bin. As I said before, the assurance was general. The subject which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned is one which will have to be negotiated between the parties. That is the only way in which a settlement can be arrived at.
§ Mr. BATEYHas not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister promised that the miners would get a square deal, and that these terms are not a square deal?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThen the miners must negotiate something better.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs it not a fact that the Government came to the conclusion that in the case of Yorkshire the owners had violated the Agreement, and are the Government not of the opinion that this is an even worse violation of the assurance given by the Prime Minister?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo; the point that arose in connection with the Yorkshire offer does not arise in the case of the Durham offer, where the ratio, which was not offered in Yorkshire, is offered. The hon. Member must remember that in the case of Durham and Northumberland the losses shown in the Report of the Coal Commission were worse than in any other district.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay we take it that the Government stand by a policy, not only of eight hours below ground, but of 10 hours for surface workers?
§ Mr. BATEYAs this is really an important question to us, and I put to the Prime Minister a question which has been answered by the Secretary for Mines, would I be allowed to repeat this question to-morrow to the Prime Minister, for we would like his reply?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir; certainly not.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Prime Minister is quite entitled to delegate the answer to the Minister particularly responsible.