§ 33. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he is now in a position to say what progress has been made respecting the investigation he proposed to institute regarding overtime being worked; and what districts are being dealt with?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)A special inquiry into the extent to which overtime is being worked in Lancashire, and the reasons for such overtime was begun in the middle of February and is proceeding.
§ Mr. TINKERMay I urge the Secretary for Mines to get on with this matter, as overtime is increasing and the idea is that the Secretary is taking no action?
§ Mr. BROWNI have already pointed out that the work started in the middle of February and is proceeding. As the hon. Member knows, the work is complicated and difficult, and it will take two or three months.
§ Mr. T. SMITHIs any inquiry taking place in this matter in Yorkshire?
§ Mr. BROWNNo. After consultation with the Miners' Federation we decided to make a survey in Lancashire to begin with. When I have the results, I shall have to see whether they will justify an extension of the inquiry.