§ 47. Mr. HARDIEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Industrial Fatigue Research Board's Report, which shows that an increasing demand is made upon the energy of the miner as greater depths are reached, he will take these facts into consideration for rearranging hours of labour?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member is aware, this complex question is being studied not only by the investigators who have issued the Report referred to, but also, from a different point of view, by the Committee on Temperature in deep and hot Mines. The work of the latter Committee must proceed further before it is possible to come to any definite conclusion.
§ Mr. HARDIEMay I ask if there is any doubt in the mind of anyone who knows anything about the subject as to the truth of the statement I make in the question, as to the difference which temperature makes to a man's health?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThat is admitted in the report of the Industrial Fatigue Board. I say there is another Committee, a Committee on temperature, which is also examining that subject, and we are waiting till that Committee reports.
§ Mr. HARDIEBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is nothing further to wait for, because this Committee that I refer to has definitely proved the conditions I mentioned in my question, and I am asking the Prime Minister whether, in view of that, he is going to rearrange the hours according to the temperatures?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe hon. Member based his question of a possible rearrangement of hours on temperature. A Committee on temperature is examining the question of the increased demand on energy owing to temperature, and may find that it can reduce the temperature.
§ Mr. HARDIEI would like to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he or the Prime Minister has any knowledge of the fact that increase in temperature is determined by the depth, and that nothing known artificially in the way of air pumping will reduce that?