Sir F. HALL(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the decision of the Coal Directorate, the governing body of the nationalised coal industry in Russia, to require an annual output from each hewer of 750 tons; whether this involves the working by the men of 10 hours underground; and if he will state how this compulsory output of the coal workers in Russia compares with the output of workers and hours of labour in this country in 1925?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been asked to reply. Information with regard to the decision of the Russian Coal Directorate referred to has not yet reached me; but I will have inquiry made, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.
Sir F. HALLConsidering that private notice of this question was given on Friday, and the importance of the matter raised, does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would have been advisable to communicate with the authorities in Russia to find out whether this information is right or not?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe hon. and gallant. Gentleman must remember that communication with Russia takes a certain time. Communications are being made, and I will let him know the result.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLIs it not a fact that the Russian miners are competing in certain of our markets, and work a 10 hours' day?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not a fact, and is not the information in the right hon. Gentleman's Department, that the Russian mineworkers below ground only work a six hours' day?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have already answered questions upon that subject. Although the nominal hours of work are, I believe, something of that sort, in actual practice much longer hours are worked.