§ 73. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed in the Fife pits; the number of miners unemployed in the same area; and an estimate of how many of those unemployed would be absorbed in the Fife pits if the seven-hour day were restored to the miners?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAt the end of February, 1936, the number of wage-earners on colliery books in the County of Fife was 21,066. On 24th February, 3,294 persons in the coal mining industry classification were registered as wholly 1052 unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Fife and 97 persons as temporarily stopped. As regards the last part of the question, so many unknown and incalculable factors enter into the matter that I am not prepared to give an estimate.
Mr. GALLAGHERIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to recommend the restoration of the seven-hour day and so find out how many of the unemployed would be absorbed?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThat is quite another question.
§ Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSWill my hon. and gallant Friend consider the experiment that was carried out some years ago, and which had to be abandoned?
§ 74. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Secretary for Mines the number of accidents to boys under 16 years of age employed in or about the coal mines in Fife during 1935?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIn 1935, 95 boys under 16 years of age were injured and disabled for more than three days by accidents at coal mines in Fife-shire. No boys under 16 years of age were killed.