HC Deb 14 March 1933 vol 275 cc1770-1
19. Mr. TINKER

asked 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. TINKER

Is 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. BROWN

It 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 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. TINKER

It is the weakness of the present Act, which I want altered.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Will 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. BROWN

There 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. WILLIAMS

Has the hon. Member looked into the case of the Ollerton Colliery, where 7.3 per cent, overtime has been worked?

Mr. BROWN

I will have that assertion looked into, but I cannot vouch for the facts. The hon. Member must be responsible for his statement.