§ 87. Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Fuel and Power in what capacity it is intended to employ those men who either volunteer or are directed into the mines; and at the end of what period of time would such men be permitted to work without special supervision and care?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIt is intended that these men, after an initial period of at least six weeks on the surface, shall be employed on various classes of underground work; this will be under the close personal supervision of a skilled workman until the men are competent to work by 29 themselves and in any event for at least a month. Most of the work will at first be concerned with the underground haulage of coal, but men with engineering experience may be employed on the maintenance and repair of mining machinery. Training and supervision will be given whenever a man is moved to a different class of work below ground. No man will be up-graded to work at the coal face till he has had considerable experience of other underground work, except in the South Wales coalfield, where the haulage conditions are different from those commonly obtaining elsewhere. In this coalfield it has been the usual custom in the past for new entrants to go straight to work at the coal face, and on the recommendation of both sides of the industry, this custom is still for the present being followed.
§ Mr. MainwaringIs the Minister in a position to inform the House upon what responsible advice this scheme is expected to produce more coal?
Major Lloyd GeorgeOn the advice of people who have full knowledge of the conditions underground. I have access to just as much knowledge as anybody else.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs it not true that when the new men go down the pits there will be less coal produced because the practical colliers will have to look after them instead of getting coal? Is not that true?