§ 23. Mr. CHARLES BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines the reasons why the New Hucknall pit, Huthwaite, Notts, is to be closed at once, involving the dismissal of more than 1,000 men, in view of the fact that a high official of the company has stated that the pit is profitable and there are plenty of orders for both the Waterloo and low-main seams?
§ 25. Sir WALDRON SMITHERSasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the termination of employment of 1,000 miners at the New Hucknall colliery because of insufficient available quota; and, in view of the frequency of such cases, will he introduce amending legislation without delay to prevent the occurrence of such positions?
§ Mr. E. BROWNOwing to seasonal influences, it is unfortunately the custom for the majority of pits in the Midlands to work short time in the summer months. I gather that in this case the colliery owners, whose standard tonnage was increased as recently as last month by the award of an arbitrator, have decided to close one of their four pits and to concentrate production in the remainder. I have no power to interfere with their decision.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the notices have been given on this occasion, as was the case some time ago, so that the Colliery Company may secure a further reduction in basic rates in respect of all the workers at the colliery?
§ Mr. BROWNI cannot make any reply to that question. I can only say that as far as I am aware there is no shortage of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coal.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman ascertain from the Colliery Company whether their object on this occasion in giving 1,000 men notice is identical with their object on the last occasion, when they secured a reduction in the wages of the workmen negotiated by the suspension?