§ 62. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that 837 attempts are being made by the owners of certain collieries to change a class of labour known as deputies to sub-overmen; and, in view of the large number of accidents in mines and the urgent need for more, rather than less, attention being give to safety, will he immediately bring in a short Bill to compel the continuance of the deputy class of labour?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI assume that the hon. Member refers to the position at Boldon Colliery in Durham, where, previously to the present stoppage, the deputies were employed on a daily wage. understand that the management now offer to employ them on the basis of a regular weekly wage, which, with other facilities offered, would amount to substantially more than their previous average earnings. The practice of paying deputies a weekly wage is in force at other mines in Durham, and is a common one in other parts of the country. It does not affect the deputies' duties in the mine. So long as the deputies properly perform the duties assigned to this class of official by the Coal Mines Act, I have no power to intervene in the matter of their conditions of employment, and I have no evidence that there is any need in the interests of safety generally for me to have such power.
§ Mr. BATEYHas not the Minister made inquiries to find out that the employers not only want to pay a weekly wage, but want to abolish a class of safety workmen; and is not the hon. Gentleman aware that at the present day there is an urgent need for more safety in mines rather than less?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that the men concerned do not want the deputies to be officials, for the simple reason that they are members of the union, and they find that they will not be in a clear position to report freely and independently if they are officials?
§ Mr. BROWNWith regard to the first supplementary question, the hon. Member has overlooked the fact that, under Seciton 14 (2,b) of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, mines in Durham and Northumberland are exempt from the requirements as to firemen, examiners or deputies. With regard to the other point, I would point out that this, surely, is a matter that should be settled in the area con- 838 cerned, and not on the Floor of this House.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it is contrary to the practice of the area, and that, as a matter of fact, the coalowners themselves generally are not wedded to this particular method?
§ Mr. BROWNI am aware that it is not a common thing in Durham, though there are other mines where is obtains, and it is a common practice in other areas.
§ Mr. BATEYIn view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall raise the question on the Adjournment.