HC Deb 09 July 1935 vol 304 cc147-8
22. Mr. TINKER

asked the Secretary for Mines whether mines managers are asked to make a return to his Department of the amount of overtime worked; and, if so, will he state which county or district had the highest for 1934?

Captain CROOKSHANK

The answer to the first part of the question is "No." The information asked for in the second part is not, therefore, available.

Mr. T. SMITH

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that it would serve a useful purpose if managers were compelled to state the amount of overtime worked in view of the fact that there are complaints of overtime in nearly every coal-mining district where mining machinery is in operation?

Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSON

Does my hon. and gallant Friend realise that in certain mines in this country 8 per cent. of mine work is overtime Whether that be accurate or not, does he not think that it ought to be investigated?

Captain CROOKSHANK

The hon. Member knows that in all cases where workers are employed overtime beyond the statutory period it has to be put on a register, and that register is open to the mining inspector. I think that for the moment that is probably sufficient, but hon. Members must know that a special investigation has been made in Lancashire and Scotland. The result of the Scottish investigation will be in the hands of the House in a fortnight.

Mr. SMITH

I am aware of what ought to be done. I know what is done in practice, and it is true that the book is there, but I want to know whether the hon. and gallant, Member will not give some attention to this matter and ask the inspector to have a record of the overtime that is being worked?

Captain CROOKSHANK

The hon. Member can be assured that this matter is being carefully considered at the present time, and there is a report which he will see in a short time and which I have already seen.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take special notice of the fact that working overtime is a double offence—first, working overtime itself, and, second, not entering the particulars in a book?

Mr. COCKS

Cannot we have a statistical survey—

HON. MEMBERS

Order!

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Tinker.