§ 7. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines the number of mine workers over the age of 60 employed in coal mines; and the estimated cost of a pension scheme if 20s. a week were paid to all mine workers compulsorily retired at that age?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe latest information available is that obtained from the Decennial Census of Population of 1931, when 6 per cent. of the persons in employment at coal mines were 60 years of age and over. I cannot say what the proportion is at the present day, and I regret that I am unable to give an estimate of cost of a pension scheme for such workers.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill not the hon. and gallant Gentleman, on behalf of the Government, consider the desirability of promoting such a scheme in order to relieve the unemployment situation in the coalfields?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThat is not what I was asked. I was asked what would be the cost, and I have said that I cannot make any estimate.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCould not the hon. and gallant Gentleman secure the information asked for in the question without a lot of trouble and expense?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKNo, Sir.