§ 36. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in every mining district over the conditions applying to the payment of the attendance bonus of is. per day; that the good will and co-operation necessary in the industry are being retarded through this; and will he consider getting the Essential Work Order rules applied to the payment of the is. a day as this would help to remove the difficulty now obtaining?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Mr. David Grenfell)I am aware that a number of questions have arisen, and in my opinion the best method of dealing with them is by discussion between the two sides in the industry. In regard to my hon. Friend's suggestion, I would point out that both the guaranteed weekly wage under the Essential Work Order and the shilling a shift additional pay were intended by the Government to encourage attendance at work and were made conditional upon the avoidance of unnecessary absenteeism.
§ Mr. TinkerIs my hon. Friend aware of the feeling prevailing with regard to the attendance bonus of is. per day, that if a man loses on? day the bonus for the whole of the preceding days is lost; and that, if he wants to develop the work in the mines, he should try to remove that feeling, when the problem would probably be settled?
§ Mr. GrenfellWe are suggesting that the good will of both sides should be secured by meetings of both sides, and yesterday meetings took place, though I do not know what definite results were obtained. I am hoping that the two sides will hammer out an agreement.
§ Mr. TinkerWill the Minister try to get them together?
§ Mr. GrenfellYes, Sir, I have asked them to get together. We want them to meet everywhere and solve these problems.