§ 14. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the figures of absenteeism for coal-getters, other underground workers and surface workers, respectively, before and since wages were raised?
Major Lloyd GeorgeOwing to the incidence of holidays, it is not possible to compare the period immediate following the increase in wages with that which preceded it. A comparison of the rates of absenteeism in the five weeks ending 12th September with those for the five weeks preceding the Report of the Board of Investigation into Miners' Wages shows 648 that the percentage of absenteeism among face-workers has increased from 13.18 to 13.93 per cent.; among other underground workers from 10.25 to 10.85 per cent.; and among surface workers from 5.99 to 6.60 per cent.