§ 19. Mr. CHARLES BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines the number of men and boys who were given notice at Rufford Colliery, Nottinghamshire, on 5th April last; how many have since been reengaged; what is the length of the working day at this colliery; and what overtime has been worked by men on conveyor faces since the reopening of the colliery?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Isaac Foot)I am informed that notice was given on 5th April to 2,207 employés at this colliery, and that 1,283 have since been re-engaged and are now employed, although 61 are at present under notice. The length of the working day is 7½ hours. Since 5th April the total overtime worked on conveyor faces has been 58½ man-hours during a period in which about 300,000 man-hours were worked during ordinary time.
§ Mr. BROWNMay I ask the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there 'are many complaints of unnecessarily long hours being worked underground in this colliery and will he have further inquiries made?
§ Mr. FOOTI will have further inquiries made, but, from the inquiries already made, I think there is no instance where overtime has not been the overtime allowed for under the Act.
§ Mr. BROWNIs the Secretary for Mines aware that the overtime I have in mind is outside the regulations and outside the statutory hours?
§ Mr. FOOTIf there is any point of that kind, perhaps the hon. Member will convey the information to me, because it is contrary to the information I have received as the result of my inquiries.