HC Deb 04 May 1933 vol 277 cc1008-9
51. Mr. CHARLES BROWN

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of hours overtime worked on the six conveyor faces at Clipstone Colliery, Nottinghamshire, during the months of February and March, 1933?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I have had careful investigations made, and I understand that overtime was worked at this colliery on 16 days during February and March, 1933. The numbers of men affected varied from nine to 62 and the additional period worked from one hour five minutes to three hours 45 minutes. The total number of hours of overtime worked was 964, representing only about 0.3 per cent. of the total man-hours worked underground during this period. The working of the overtime appears to have been permissible under the terms of the Coal Mines Act, 1908.

Mr. C. BROWN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that men at this colliery are now under notice; and will he have some further investigation made into the regular and constant practice of this colliery of working overtime?

Mr. E. BROWN

I have had the most careful investigations made and they prove that the overtime at Clipstone was mainly due to breakdown of conveyors, and, on three occasions, to unexpected occurrences of strong or hard coal. As the hon. Member knows, overtime is permitted under the Act in cases of accident, danger, apprehended danger, emergency or work uncompleted through unforeseen circumstances, which requires to be dealt with without interruption to avoid serious interference with the ordinary work.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Does the hon. Member suggest that all the operations to which he has referred fall within the category of those which permit employment for overtime?

Mr. E. BROWN

As I say, the operations at this pit have been carefully examined, and I have given my answer that in my opinion they all arise under the Act.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

If all these operations are to be taken into account, is it not possible for any colliery to work overtime every day in the week and all through the year?

Mr. E. BROWN

As the hon. Member knows, the line is not always easy to draw.

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