§ 8. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys working in coal mines who are under the age of 16 years?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIn December, 1935, the estimated number of boys under 16 years of age employed in the coal mining industry was 30,800.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the propriety of introducing legislation to enable these boys to be removed from employment in the coalfields and thus enable adult labour to be employed? May I have an answer? Has not the hon. and gallant Gentleman any information at all, or any opinions?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe hon. Member did not ask for information.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe purpose of supplementary questions is not to secure an expression of opinion.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWith great respect, Sir, I submit that on the basis of the information asked for I am entitled to ascertain whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any opinions at all?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am not sure that the hon. Member is entitled to ask for any opinion from a Minister at Question Time.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand that the Government are bereft of all opinions?
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSIs the figure which the hon. and gallant Gentleman gave the total of those actually in the mines, or does it include those working on the surface?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt is the figure of those who are generally spoken of as "employed in the coal mining industry," that is, the whole lot.