§ 61. Mr. Hannahasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure that miners already working seven-and-a-half hours for six days a week at the coal face are not liable for service with the Home Guard involving an extra six hours' training every week?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have no reason to believe that miners desire to escape the duty and the privilege which they share with their fellow countrymen of national service. But arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service provide for appeal to an Independent Tribunal on grounds of medical unfitness or personal hardship and there is also machinery in co-operation with the military authorities for ensuring that Home Guard duties do not interfere with miners' work in the pits.
§ Mr. HannahIs this not rather too much work for almost anybody each week?
§ Mr. FosterIs the Minister not aware that with this training which the miner has to do with the Home Guard, Civil Defence, and so on, after a hard day's work down the pits, it is impossible for him to keep up his work, and that is one of the reasons for absenteeism?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot accept the latter part of the hon. Member's suggestion. I have had a good many talks with the men themselves on this matter, and arrangements have been made by which in cases such as that referred to, where it appears that the miner is doing exceptionally hard work, there is liaison between the military authorities and my Department. We have been able to come to a very satisfactory arrangement.