§ 26. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines in how many districts the wages of miners have been reduced to the minimum percentage; what is the amount of the deficit which has been ascertained in each such district; and in which of such districts is the deficit to be carried forward so as to be taken into account in future ascertainments?
§ Colonel LANE FOXIn reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I am circulating to-day in reply to a question by the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Lee). The reply to the other parts of this question also involves a number of figures, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate that also in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the fact that every coal-mining area in Great Britain is down on the minimum?
§ Mr. TINKERI think it would be better that I should press for the answer to be given now, in view of the Debate to-day. I do not know whether I have the power to force the Minister to give the answer now. I cannot give my permission, for which the Minister has asked, for the answer to be circulated.
§ Colonel LANE FOXIt would take some time to read the figures, and it would be difficult for the hon. Member to assimilate them as they were read out. I have promised him that he will get them this afternoon, and I think that will be the more satisfactory way.
§ Following is the information:
§ "Deficiencies" for purposes of recoupment in future wages ascertainments amounted at the end of May to the following sums:
| £ | |||
| Scotland | … | … | 601,771 |
| Northumberland | … | … | 312,873 |
| Durham | … | … | 932,492 |
| Yorkshire | … | … | 396,163 |
| North Wales | … | … | 60,435 |
| Cumberland | … | … | 69,037 |
| Forest of Dean | … | … | 25,928 |
§ In South Wales and Monmouth the deficiency at the end of April was £589,788.
§ 27. Mr. LEEasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the hours per day worked in each district of the British coalfields, with the minimum percentage payable upon basis rates under the agreements at present in force; and the minimum percentage upon basis rates prior to the introduction of the longer working day, showing which of these districts are now being paid upon or above the minimum?
§ Colonel LANE FOXWith the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Secretary for Mines aware that 50 per cent. of the miners working to-day are in a worse position than they were last year, when they were out enjoying a holiday?
§ Captain PETER MACDONALDIs it not a fact that the conditions now are due to the fact that we have lost markets?
§ Following is the information:
| STATEMENT showing the hours per full day worked in each district of the British Coalfields and the minimum percentages payable on basis rates in April, 1926, and the present day in those districts where agreements have been ratified. | |||||
| District. | Minimum Percentages. | Hours.† | |||
| April, 1926. | July, 1927. | ||||
| Scotland | … | … | 133.33 | 110* | 8 |
| Northumberland | … | … | 100 | 80* | 7½ hewers, |
| 8 others. | |||||
| Durham | … | … | 110 | 89* | 7½ hewers, |
| 8 others. | |||||
| South Wales and Monmouth | … | … | 42.22 | 28* | 8 |
| Yorks | … | … | 46.67 | 36* | 7½ |
| Notts | … | … | 46.67 | 38 | 7½ |
| S.Derby | … | … | 46.67 | 38 | 7½ |
| S. Derby | … | … | 46.67 | 35* | 8 |
| Leicester | … | … | 46.67 | 40 | 8 |
| Warwick | … | … | 46.67 | 43 | 8 |
| Cannock Chase | … | … | 46.67 | 42 | 8 |
| Lanes, and Cheshire | … | … | 46.67 | 32* | 8 |
| North Staffs. | … | … | 46.67 | 35* | 8 |
| South Staffs. | … | … | 46.67 | 40 | 8 |
| Cumberland | … | … | 44.44 | 30* | 8 |
| Forest of Dean | … | … | 80.00 | 68.75* | 8 |
| North Wales | … | … | 46.67 | 22* | 8 |
| * Indicates those districts in which wages are now being paid on the minimum. | |||||
| † In the majority of districts a short shift varying from 5¼ to 7 hours is worked on Saturday. |