§ 36. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the fact that since the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, regulating production came into operation the number of insured coal miners at work has diminished by about 130,000 whereas during the same period the number of insured workpeople at work has increased by about 660,000, he is prepared to amend the Act?
§ Mr. E. BROWNWhile His Majesty's Government have under consideration the question of amending Part I of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, I cannot accept the suggestion which appears to underline my hon. Friend's question that the Act is in any way responsible for unemployment in the coal mining industry.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the Secretary for Mines give the House the benefit of his knowledge as to how many people have been thrown out of work since 1930 owing to the introduction of the Bill of 1930?