§ 8. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has made any approach to the Coalowners' Association on the question of a joint meeting between them and the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain to deal with the application for an advance in wages; and, if so, with what result?
Captain CROOKSHANKI have already raised the question in the course of informal discussions on other subjects with representatives of the Mining Association, but was given to understand that their attitude on this question has not changed. I am, however, addressing an invitation to them to meet the Mineworkers' Federation to discuss wages, and if such a meeting were to be arranged I should be glad, if desired, to preside over it.
§ Mr. MACDONALDWhile thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his favourable reply, I would ask whether he is aware of the intense feeling on this 2455 question among the miners, and whether he will do his best to see that there is no unavoidable delay in dealing with the problem?
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the possibility of urging on the owners in the various districts the desirability of setting up selling pools?
§ 10. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether, when ascertaining the average daily wage of the mine worker, the overtime worked is included in the ordinary shift, or is it treated separately to give the indication of the amount per shift of seven and a-half hours with one winding time added?
Captain CROOKSHANKThe figures given by my Department in respect of the average earnings per manshift worked relate to the ordinary shift only, overtime being reckoned as a fraction of a shift.