§ 1. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can now make a statement concerning the working of overtime at the River Level Colliery, Aberdare?
§ Mr. E. BROWNInquiries into the overtime worked at this pit over a period of 12 weeks show that the amount of overtime is less than 0.5 per cent. of ordinary time worked. The management claim that in all cases the overtime was permissible under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908. In one case, however, namely, when 11 men worked overtime for three hours each clearing coal at the pit bottom, I do not agree that the overtime worked was permissible, but since the management have undertaken not to work overtime for this purpose in future, I have decided not to take action on this occasion.
§ Mr. HALLCan the hon. Member inform me whether the representatives of the workers were consulted during the course of the inquiry?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member knows the difficulties there are, because this is a matter of management.
§ Mr. HALLThe workmen's representatives are able to give information dealing with overtime, and why should they Trot be consulted?