§ 38. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners employed during February, 1932, and February, 1935?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have been asked to reply. The average number of wage earners on colliery books in Great Britain during February, 1932, was 835,900, and during February, 1935, 771,800.
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand that there were 60,000 fewer miners employed this February than in 1932. If that be the case, how could the Dominion Secretary make the statement last Monday that there were 44,500 fewer miners unemployed this February as compared with 1932?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have not seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers, but there has been a smaller diminution in employment during the last two years. There was a greater growth of unemployment during the term of office of the Labour Government.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSMay I ask whether the figures the hon. and gallant Member has read out relate to the number of persons on the colliery books, which is not the same as the number reported as employed, because persons working short time may be included on the colliery books? The two figures are not strictly comparable.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLIs it not the case that the number of people employed in coal mining is less now than at any time for the last 30 years
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI cannot answer that question, but the diminution in employment is much less than it was.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that there never has been a Labour Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am inclined to agree with the hon. Member.