HC Deb 19 May 1931 vol 252 cc1766-7
36. Sir ROBERT NEWMAN

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys under 16 years of age who are being employed below ground in mines; and the total number of boys under 16 years of age who were killed and the number who were injured while working in the mines below ground during the years 1927, 1928, 1929, and 1930?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. FREEMAN

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of prohibiting boys under 16 working underground in mines, as is already done in other countries?

Following is the answer:

The information, so far as it is available, is as follows:—

Number of boys under 16 years of age employed below ground at Mines under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and the number of such boys killed and injured by accidents at the mines, during the years 1927 to 1930.
Year. Average number employed below ground. Number of boys killed. Number of boys disabled for more than 3 days.
1927 … 29,563 35 6,518
1928 … 26,663 30 6,114
1929 … 28,574 40 7,122
1930 … 25,162 24 Not yet available.