§ 9. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Secretary for Mines the number of underground wage-earners on the colliery books at the latest date available, and the comparative figures for 1930 and 1924?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt is estimated that at 22nd February, 1936, 608,500 wage-earners were employed below-ground at coal mines in Great Britain. The estimated numbers so employed at the corresponding dates in 1924 and 1930 were 962,500 and 777,100 respectively.
§ Mr. SMITHCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what the policy of the Government is with regard to this tremendous decrease in mine workers?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKNot in reply to a question of fact like this.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSHow many of these persons were, in fact, not at work on the dates mentioned?