§ 64. Major COLVILLEasked the Secretary for Mines whether the numbers of miners employed in Great Britain have increased or decreased since the date on which the Coal Mines Act, 1930, came into operation; and if he will give the comparative figures?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)The various Parts of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, came into operation at different dates; but, on the assumption that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the provisions regulating output, which came into operation on 1st January, the number of wage-earners employed at coal mines in Great Britain at that date was 883,900. The number employed on 21st February, the latest date for which a corresponding figure is available, was 879,000. These figures show a decrease of 4,900 in the numbers employed over the industry as a whole. Fluctuations in numbers employed are caused by fluctuations in the volume of trade, and it would not, therefore, be right to suggest that even the small decrease to which I have referred was attributable to the operation of the Act.
§ Major COLVILLEIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that men are being daily thrown out of employment at the present time by the operation of the quota?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am not aware of that fact at all, and there is no evidence that supports that statement.
§ Major COLVILLEWill the hon. Gentleman allow me to give him evidence?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have a discussion on every question. Mr. Day.