§ 27. Sir Leonard Lyleasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the wastage in the mines between 1st January and 19th September; how many new men or ex-miners began work in the mines in that period; and to what extent miners left the mines in the same period to obtain other work or to join the Forces?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Fuel and Power (Mr. T. Smith)Between 3rd January and 19th September this year, the gross wastage from the industry was 23,467: the total entries during this period were 26,957. No miners left to join the Forces, and, in view of the operation of the Essential Work (Coalmining Industry) Order, the whole of the wastage is therefore accounted for by death and disablement cases, by the retirement from gainful employment of older men, and by cases when ill-health prevented from continuing to work in the mines.