§ 2. Mr. Ralph Ethertonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power in how many one-week periods in 1943 the production of coal has been in excess of the production in the corresponding weeks in 1942 and 1939 respectively?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe comparison of the coal output of individual weeks of 1943 with that of the same periods of 1942 and 1939 is affected by the different incidence of holidays. Without making allowance for that factor, seven of the first 22 weeks of 1943 showed a higher output than the corresponding weeks of 1942; two of them were higher than in the same weeks of 1939.
§ 3. Mr. Ethertonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average output in hundredweights of coal per man-shift for the first three months of 1943 and whether there has been an increase or decline compared with 1942 and 1941?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe average output of saleable coal per man-shift worked for the first three months of 1943 was 21.08 hundredweights. This was higher than in the corresponding period of 1942, but slightly lower than in the first quarter of 1941.
§ Mr. EthertonIn view of the fact that 1941 showed a drop of 1¾ cwts. per man-shift as compared with 1939, does not the Minister regard this further decline as serious?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe hon. Member must remember that in 1939 there were about 60,000 more miners in the industry and that of that number the vast majority were young men, who are the highest producers in the industry!
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs not the Minister aware that these Questions about absenteeism and the quantity of coal being produced are causing serious discontent among the miners? It is a downright shame that Members should put such Questions. Mining is one of the most damnable jobs man ever had to do.
§ Mr. McGovernThese Members are coal-owners.
4. Major Lloydasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many miners in Scottish collieries are working only four or five hours per shift on afternoon and night 510 shifts; in what areas does this situation exist; and why miners are only working such short time?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have no precise figures on this point, but I am aware that the practice of leaving early is fairly widespread in Scotland and particularly in parts of Lanarkshire. It is most prevalent among afternoon shift workers, but is common also among night shift men and is not unknown on the day shift. Where working conditions are exceptionally bad and the men have finished their work satisfactorily, it is not unreasonable that they should be allowed to leave a little early, but there is no doubt that the privilege has been and still is greatly abused. My Regional Controller and I are both watching the situation very closely, and are endeavouring to deal with it with the co-operation of the Regional Coal Board, the pit production committees and the trade unions.
Major LloydDoes the Minister realise, as I am sure he does, that the great majority of miners are thoroughly discontented with their more recalcitrant comrades who indulge in this practice? Is he aware that people in Scotland are getting very concerned at the prospect of a great coal shortage in the winter; and will he not do something to strengthen the hands of the decent hard-working miners and prevent the action of idlers who will not do their bit?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI am in close touch with my Regional Controller on this matter, and he, in turn, is in close contact not only with the Coal Board itself, but with all the trade unions concerned. The attention of pit production committees has been directed to this question.
§ Mr. GallacherIs not the Minister aware that the men referred to are working shorter hours? When brushers have done their job they are only wasting their own and the mine's time if they have to remain down the pit.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThat is true to a certain extent. I can only repeat that I am in close touch with all those concerned in this matter.
§ Mr. BuchananDoes not the Minister agree that the practice of allowing men who have nothing further to do to go home, instead of being a nuisance to 511 other people, should not be discontinued merely because certain things are happening?