§ 40. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary for Mines what is the total number of underground workers at present employed in the mines of the country; what percentage are boys under 16; and the percentage of accidents which occurred to those over and under 16 years, both fatal and otherwise, for the year 1927?
§ Commodore KINGOn the basis of information relating to December, 1927, it is estimated that 728,700 wage-earners are employed below ground at coal mines at the present time, of whom 3.6 per cent. are boys under 16 years of age. During 1927, 96.6 per cent, of the fatal accidents below ground occurred to those over 16 and 3.4 per cent. to those under 16, the corresponding figures in respect of acci- 1538 dents causing disablement for more than three days being 95.9 per cent. and 4.1 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been drawn to the practice of certain coal-owners who employ boys at these ages to do men's work underground?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir. I know of no justification for that statement.