HC Deb 11 July 1933 vol 280 cc914-6
15 and 16. Mr. TINKER

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) if the summary of returns issued by his Department, giving the number of man-shifts worked, includes the overtime worked; if so, how many of such shifts are due to overtime; and will he give the county or district with the greatest amount of overtime;

(2) if the returns issued by his Department showing the earnings per man-shift worked are for the normal period of seven and a-half hours including one winding time; and, if so, how many shifts have been made through overtime?

Mr. E. BROWN

The number of shifts worked shown in the statistical summaries issued by my Department is the total number of shifts actually worked, whether during ordinary hours or as overtime. The latter category, of course, includes shifts worked at the week-end. From the returns received, it is not possible to distinguish between ordinary and week-end or overtime shifts. The cash earnings per man-shift worked represent the total wages shown divided by the total number of man-shifts worked.

Mr. TINKER

Has the hon. Gentleman any figures to show the amount of overtime worked or is the total sent in and divided up without any regard to overtime?

Mr. BROWN

We made an attempt, in conjunction with the Mining Association, to get overtime figures for International Labour Office purposes, but we failed. Special returns were received in respect of trial periods, but they have not thrown any real light on the problem, and I do not think that I could get such figures except by an examination of every register in the country.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Is the hon. Gentleman sure as to what is implied in these returns by references to shifts; and are they the ordinary shifts plus any overtime that may be worked?

Mr. BROWN

I am sure that the returns are based on the figures supplied on the forms for ascertainment, that is, Form TS. 1, and they represent as I have said, all the information available. They cover the number of man-shifts worked including week-end and overtime shifts and such shifts are reckoned on the actual time worked.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the special returns for which he asked tallied with the returns given by the employers on the ascertainment sheets?

Mr. BROWN

The point is that the total is given in the sheets and an attempt was made to get an estimate of the overtime, but it failed.

Mr. GRENFELL

Why should it fail?

Mr. BROWN

Because it was not successful.

18. Mr. GORDON MACDONALD

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is now in a position to state what action he proposes to take on the case of overtime being worked on 17th May, 1933, at the Mains Colliery, Banfurlong, near Wigan?

Mr. BROWN

If the hon. Member will put his question down in a few days, I hope to be in a position to reply.