§ 38. Mr. BROMLEYasked the Minister of Transport if, during the month of March, he has received any complaints from railway engine drivers and firemen or from their local representatives of excessive hours worked by drivers and firemen; if so, will he say how many complaints he has received; how many cases of excessive hours are referred to in such complaints; the number of cases in excess of nine hours, in excess of 10 hours, and in excess of 11 hours on duty; will he specify any cases exceeding 12 or 13 hours on duly; and what steps he has taken with regard thereto?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have received a considerable number of complaints of this kind from various branches of the association with which the hon. Member is connected. These complaints are being investigated, and until my investigations are complete, I am not prepared to say-how far the complaints indicate that long hours are actually being worked by engine drivers and firemen.
§ Mr. BROMLEYSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman has been pressed, both by myself and by the members of my organisation, for so long, will he hurry up this; matter, lest the men refuse to work these long hours, and cause some dislocation of the railway service, having tried every other method for redress?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI will certainly try to get the investigation completed as soon as possible.