§ 22. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines how many persons have obtained work in the coal mines in Yorkshire during the first five months of this year who had had no previous experience of coal-mining, stating those under 18 years of age and over 18 years of age, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)I have been asked to reply. As regards persons over 18 years of age, I am making inquiries as promised in my reply to the hon. Member on 22nd May. Corresponding figures are not available with regard to persons under 18 to whom the restrictions on recruiting do not apply.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not possible to obtain the figures, particularly with regard to persons under 18 years of age, at the same time that the hon. Gentleman is making inquiries?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir. I do not think I can obtain them at present in the case of persons under 18, because the agreement does not apply to them. I am making further inquiries on the point which has been raised by the hon. Member. At the same time, I would welcome any information which the hon. Member has in his possession which might help me in making my inquiries.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of these contracts for the employment of men under 18, is it not time that some machinery was set up to get to know the actual facts rather than trusting to the coal-owners themselves?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have made full inquiries, not only from the coal-owners, but from all available sources, in order to obtain correct figures, to which I attach just as much importance as the hon. Member does.
§ Mr. PALINGWould it not be better to set up some machinery under which these lists would be gone through systematically and periodically, rather than trusting to the coalowners or the coal-miners to report as they think fit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONWe are considering the most efficacious means of obtaining 796 correct figures, to which we attach great importance.