§ 84. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines how many additional miners would be employed to keep up the present output if the hours of work were reduced from 7½ to 7 hours per day?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I regret that I am unable precisely to answer this hypothetical question. The number of men on colliery books now is 764,000, and a reduction of half-an-hour in the working day would represent on the average a reduction of about 7.5 per cent. in actual working time. A mere arithmetical calculation on this basis would be rendered of little value by many unknown factors, such as the possible effect on cost and, therefore, on the demand for coal, the greater regularity of employment and increased use of mechanical appliances.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the hon. Member aware that it is only by a reduction of hours that more miners can be put into work, and will he not advise the Government to adopt this policy?
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLMay I ask whether the Department have seriously considered the possibility of reducing the hours of employment and, having regard to the prejudicial effect the present policy is having in Lancashire and Kent, whether he will pay some attention to this matter during the Recess?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the last Labour Government decided against reducing hours because of the economic disaster which would follow?