38. Mr. WINTERT0N (for Mr. CHARLES BROWN)asked the Secretary for Mines if he will inquire and state what was the length of the shifts of boys employed as tub-markers working underground on conveyor faces at Clipstone Colliery, Notts, during the last week in May and the first two weeks of June, 1931?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe normal length of the shift of the boys in question is 7½ hours, and this was the period worked in the last week of May and the first week in June, except that during the two weeks two boys each worked overtime on one day.
Mr. WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures he has given in connection with this case are open to serious challenge? Are they extracted from the colliery log book?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the hon. Member challenges the figures, perhaps he will supply me with the information.
§ Mr. LAWTHERHad the local workmen's inspectors an opportunity of examining the registers at this colliery?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI cannot say whether there are workmen's inspectors in that area.
§ Mr. LAWTHERIf there are, will they be given an opportunity and, if there are not, will the hon. Gentleman inquire why there are not?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWhere workmen's inspectors have been appointed, they cannot be excluded from the pits. If no workmen's inspectors are appointed, the matter is not within my jurisdiction. It is a matter for the men's organisation.