HC Deb 21 February 1933 vol 274 cc1563-4
1. Mr. CHARLES BROWN

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of hours of overtime worked on conveyor faces in the following collieries of the Mansfield district, Rufford, Clipstone, Blidworth, and Ollerton, during the month of January, 1933; and for what reasons the overtime was worked?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)

The Secretary for Mines is in Geneva, and I have been asked to reply. The number of hours of overtime worked on conveyor faces during January at the collieries in question was as follows:

  • Rufford Colliery, 495 hours, or 8 per cent, of total time worked.
    • 1564
  • Clipstone Colliery, 780 hours, or 9 per cent, of total time worked.
  • Blidworth Colliery, 285 hours, or 3.5 per cent, of total time worked.
  • Ollerton Colliery, 1,515 hours, or 7.3 per cent, of total time worked.
In all cases the overtime was stated to be due to causes within the scope of Section 1 (2) of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908. These causes were aggravated by the influenza epidemic.

Mr. BROWN

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the time has come for a review of the regulations, seeing that this is becoming a constant practice in these collieries?

Dr. BURGIN

I will pass on that question to my hon. Friend.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Gentleman also point out to the Secretary for Mines that overtime is increasing at all collieries where machines are being used; and does he not think that, wherever overtime can be avoided, it ought to be avoided, in order to employ a larger number of men?

Dr. BURGIN

I think it will be agreed that difficulties are usually experienced during a change-over from hand to machine-working.

Mr. BATEY

Is it not the case that the 495 hours of overtime worked in one month were worked at a colliery where they have had conveyors for a long time; and is not that an excessive number of hours to be worked at a conveyor face?

Dr. BURGIN

I thought I had given fully the reasons applicable in these cases.

Mr. McKEAG

Would the hon. Gentleman submit representations to colliery owners that overtime should be reduced, so that more men might be employed?