§ 38. Mr. CHARLES BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that men employed at Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, on No. 2 conveyor face, whose shift began at 10.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 26th May, did not leave work till 12 o'clock on the following day, and the six charge men did not leave till 2.20 p.m. on that day; and will he inquire into and state the reasons why those long hours underground were worked?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have had this matter investigated, and it appears that my hon. Friend has been misinformed. On the shift in question, 14 conveyor men were detained below ground after the end of the shift owing to falls on the level. The register of the times of descent and ascent shows that seven of these men ascended at 8 a.m., and the other seven, including the chargemen, at 8.40 a.m. on the 27th May.
§ Mr. BROWNIs the hon. Member aware that the information in the question was given to me by one of the men actually engaged for this period on this day, and will he have further inquiries made into the matter as this is a constant practice at this colliery?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAll that I can say to my hon. Friend is that I have made very careful investigations, and, in accordance with the records, that is not correct.
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe only care that we can exercise is to examine them closely.
Mr. WINTERTONIs the hon. Member aware that in many collieries there is overtime, and will he also——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question only deals with one colliery.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question on the Order Paper only deals with one colliery.