§ 14. Mr. CHARLES BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines the number of hours of overtime worked at the following collieries during the months of October, November, and December: Tibshelf colliery, Derbyshire, Rufford and Blidworth collieries, Nottinghamshire?
§ Mr. E. BROWNDuring the three months in question the total number of hours overtime worked was 1,787 at Tibshelf colliery, 1,279 at Rufford and 630 at Blidworth. These totals represent 1.64 per cent., .36 per cent., and .23 per cent. respectively of the total hours worked underground during the same period at these three collieries.
§ Mr. C. BROWNMay I ask the Secretary for Mines, in view of the growing practice of working overtime in mines, whether he has anything further to report with regard to the matter he mentioned some time ago in the House? He told us that his Department were having investigations made into this matter, and I would like to know whether those investigations have been made and what is happening?
§ Mr. E. BROWNIf the hon. Member wants an answer on that point, I should prefer to have the question put down; but I would say at the moment that I am proposing to begin an investigation in Lancashire almost immediately. If further information is wanted, I should prefer to have notice.
§ Mr. C. BROWNI wish to say that I consider the answer of the Secretary for Mines quite unsatisfactory, and I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.