§ 26. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that persistent overtime has been worked by miners at the Victoria colliery owned by the Huddersfield Collieries, Limited, Ferray Bridge, near Huddersfield, and that the company have admitted this to His Majesty's inspector; and will he state what action will be taken against the company for this infringement of the Coal Mines Regulation Act?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI am aware that some overtime has been worked recently at this colliery, and that the company admit the fact, but I am not aware of any evidence which would justify proceedings for the illegal working of overtime.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it regarded as being permissive for any colliery company to allow its workmen to work any quantity of overtime without coming into contact with the coal mines regulations?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKCertainly not.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIf the evidence is already available and it is admitted by the inspectors that the Coal Mines Regulation Act has been broken, and they are not going to take action, what is the use of the Act at all?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt is very useful indeed and, as far as that goes, since this question has been raised, the matter has been again gone into, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that both my eyes and those of the inspectors will be kept fixed on this colliery.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that they have had their eyes fixed on employers for the past four or five years, they have had numerous cases where the law has been broken and they have never taken 1007 any action? Does he expect colliery companies to take any notice of what he says?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKYes, I do.