HC Deb 02 February 1943 vol 386 cc725-6
6. Mr. Cecil Wilson

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the output per manshift and the average age of the miners employed in the Nunnery, Orgreave, Treeton, Kilnhurst, Grange, Holbrook and Norwood collieries to which men from Tinsley Park are being transferred?

The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)

It would not be in the public interest to publish figures relating to individual collieries, and information concerning the average age of the miners employed at the collieries concerned is not readily available.

Mr. Wilson

Is it not obtainable?

Major Lloyd George

I will communicate with my hon. Friend in regard to the first part, but the second part, he will appreciate, would involve considerable labour.

7. Mr. Wilson

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the distance from Tinsley Park to each of the other collieries to which men are being transferred; the means of trans-port to each colliery available for each of the three shifts and as none of the collieries have housing accommodation for the transferred men, the additional length of time which the men will be away from home daily; and the additional expense per week to which they will be put if the collieries are working full time?

Major Lloyd George

The men affected by the closing of Tinsley Park Colliery will be transferred to Nunnery, Orgreave, Treton, Westhorpe and Kilnhurst Collieries, which are distant from Tinsley Park 1½, 2, 5, 10 and 10 miles respectively. The majority of the men are going to the first three, for which adequate transport services already exist. A service to the fourth was started on 1st February. No men are at present being moved to the fifth colliery. As far as possible men are being transferred to the pit of their choice, which in some cases is nearer than Tinsley Park to their homes. While, therefore, the time during which some men will be away from home will be increased, for others it will be reduced. For very few men will travelling time be lengthened by more than 20 minutes. To avoid hardship, the Regional Controller will examine cases in which travelling expenses are increased or are a new charge on the workman.

Mr. Wilson

Has there been a conference with the workmen on this question?

Major Lloyd George

I believe that on this question there has been very close consultation throughout, and also with the Regional Board.