§ 19. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of prosecutions instituted by His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines during the year 1932 for alleged breaches of the 7½ Hours Act, and how many have resulted in convictions?
The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr, Ernest Brown)Proceedings were taken against one colliery company during the year 1932 in respect of breaches of the law in regard to hours of work, and & conviction was obtained in respect of failure to keep a register in the prescribed manner.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the Secretary for Mines aware that a large amount of overtime is being worked with which, apparently, the inspectors cannot deal? Will he see that the Act is strengthened in order to deal with this matter?
Mr. BROWNIt depends entirely on what is meant by overtime. It may be-emergency overtime, and that is an entirely different matter. If it is a breach 1771 of the law, and the hon. Member has any facts he can put before me, I shall be glad to have them brought to my notice and to act upon them.
§ Mr. TINKERIt is the weakness of the present Act, which I want altered.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLWill the Secretary for Mines give close attention to this and find whether what is regarded as overtime by his inspectors is not a violation of the law?
Mr. BROWNThere again the issue is determined, as in every case, by facts-Unless hon. Members can bring facts before me, I am not able to make up my mind as to whether there has been a breach of the law or not.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas the hon. Member looked into the case of the Ollerton Colliery, where 7.3 per cent, overtime has been worked?
Mr. BROWNI will have that assertion looked into, but I cannot vouch for the facts. The hon. Member must be responsible for his statement.