§ 44. Commander Galbraithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has in his possession information showing the number of hours per shift worked at the coal face in the bituminous coalmines of the U.S.A., excluding meals and travelling time; and how this compares with the average number of hours, excluding meals and travelling time, worked at the face in the coalfields of Great Britain.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Major Lloyd George)Owing to the longer permissible hours of work in the United States of America and shorter travelling time to the coal face, the hours of work at the coal face in the bituminous coalmines of the United States of America are greater than in this country. It would be difficult, because of the great variations in underground conditions at individual mines, to give accurate comparative figures.
§ Commander GalbraithCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman obtain the figures from the United States in spite of what he has said?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI think I could let my hon. and gallant Friend have them, and if he will allow me to communicate with him, I will do so.