§ 7. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what number of man-shifts is represented by the avoidable absenteeism in the coalmining industry, at present amounting to 5.8 per cent.
Major Lloyd GeorgeAvoidable absenteeism in the coalmining industry amounting to 5.8 per cent. represents the loss of approximately 230,000 manshifts per week.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs the Minister aware that the Yorkshire returns this month show £43,000 paid to men who could not work when they got to the pit? Will he tell that to the chap over there who put the Question?
§ Mr. KeelingThat is not avoidable absenteeism.
§ Mr. FosterIs the Minister aware that quite a large number of shifts are lost for which no records are kept, and which are put down as being avoidable absenteeism, such as men not being able to have their clogs repaired or even to buy new clogs, or men being off for a day when they have a medical certificate? Is the Minister aware of all that?
Mr. Henry WhiteIs the Minister aware that the compilation of these figures is ridiculous, when they include cases of men who have to travel 14 miles in all for their work, half of it on foot and sometimes up a gradient of 1 in 3, at 60 years of age?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not accept for one moment the suggestion that the figures are ridiculous. I have investigators in the coalfields, as well as having the figures, and while there may be one or two cases such as have been mentioned, on the whole these figures are far better than the figures for any other industry, and far better than they have ever been before.
§ Mr. StephenHas the Minister been in touch with the Mineworkers' Federation on this matter?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI often meet the Federation on this and other matters, and I have had no complaints from them as to the method by which we reached these conclusions.
§ 8 and 9. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what tonnage of coal is lost per annum through avoidable absenteeism at the rate of 5.8 per cent;
(2) what is the latest available figure of avoidable absenteeism among workers at the coal face; and what is the annual resulting loss of coal output.
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe rate of voluntary absenteeism at the coal face in the June quarter of this year was 6.6 per cent. Figures for the September quarter are not yet available, but a preliminary estimate is in the neighbourhood of 7.6 per cent. against 6.2 per cent. for all classes of workers. Arithmetical computation of the resulting loss of coal output would be misleading in view of the many factors involved.
§ Mr. GallacherHas the Minister any idea what percentage of absenteeism there would be on the part of the hon. Member who put the Question, if he had a job down a pit?