HC Deb 07 July 1936 vol 314 cc1000-1
14. Mr. R. J. TAYLOR

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of men and lads employed in the following classes of workmen employed in Northumberland mines: surface men and lads, stonemen and shifters, fillers, cutters, and pullers up, and, further, the man-hours, respectively, worked per week for the month of May and the first two weeks of June, 1936?

Captain CROOKSHANK

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. TAYLOR

how or when is the Department likely to be interested in the question of overtime in the respective districts?

Captain CROOKSHANK

We have followed questions of overtime, but that is not what I am asked here. I am asked for a number of figures which I have not got.

Mr. WHITELEY

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that this is a method of obtaining exactly what overtime is worked, and that by having all the trades classified and the shifts put into proper order, a properly tabulated scheme could be made?

Mr. TAYLOR

Is the Minister aware that I asked a question as to overtime last year, and that he was unable to reply, and is he aware that if we could get the man-hours worked per week, we should be able to calculate the overtime?

Mr. JAMES GRIFFITHS

Does the Minister mean to convey the impression that he has asked for information from the owners, and has been refused?

Captain CROOKSHANK

I am not going further with regard to impressions, except to say that I regret I have not this information.

Mr. TAYLOR

Will the Minister get it?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Why not get it?