§ 3. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to make a report on the investigations he has made regarding overtime in the Lancashire collieries; and if he will also state the particular collieries where such inquiries were made and if the Lancashire
§ imported; to what ports in this country it was delivered; and for what purpose it was used?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)As the reply involves a statistical table, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. He will then see that the total amount of coal imported into Northern Ireland is very small, and, so far as Great Britain is concerned, quite negligible.
§ Following is the reply:
§ Miners' Federation were asked to send representatives when the investigations were made?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThis investigation, which will cover all pits in Lancashire employing 50 or more men below ground, is about two-thirds completed. The Lancashire Miners' Federation were not 141 asked to send representatives, but the general practice has been to discuss the question with the checkweighman at each pit.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that for representatives of the Miners' Federation not to be present at such an inquiry is not likely to have the required good effect?
§ Mr. TINKERIt is so.
§ Mr. GORDON MACDONALDIs the Minister aware that this inquiry was held as a result of pressure from the Miners' Federation; and does he realise that in not having their co-operation the inquiry loses a great deal of its value?