§ 37. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will furnish a Return showing, for the week ended 6th October, 1928, the number of collieries in operation, the number of workers, the 1536 number of workers on short time, the number working less than 48 hours, the number working 48 hours, and the number working more than 48 hours?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)During the week ended 6th October, 1928, 2,106 pits were in operation. The total number of wage earners on their books was 897,200, of whom it is estimated that 422,500 were prevented from working on one or more days during the week through want of trade or through transport difficulties. I regret that information is not available or readily obtainable to enable me to answer the last part of the question.