§ 29. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Fuel and Power why pit trainees are charged 1s. 3d. for conveyance between Cheadle, Staffordshire, and the Berry Hill Colliery, Stoke, by a Government omnibus on which other miners travel free; whether he is aware that private local omnibuses charge 1s. 2d. for the similar run; and what action he proposes to take.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Shinwell)The New Haden Colliery, Cheadle, was closed in 1943 and many of the men employed there were compulsorily transferred to the Berry Hill Colliery. As they had previously incurred no expense in getting to and from their work, free transport from Cheadle to Berry Hill was provided for them. Certain other workmen at Berry Hill who live at Cheadle are allowed to use the same service but are required to pay fares. The special bus conveys men to the pithead which is some distance beyond the 1s. 2d. fare stage on the public service route.
§ Mr. FraserIs it not rather unfair that the Bevin boys, who, in the ordinary way, would be employed at the New Haden Colliery if that colliery had been open, should not be allowed to travel free? Surely, they come under the same category as the miners transferred from that colliery to the colliery at Stoke-on-Trent?
§ Mr. ShinwellThis is a practice which derives from the war years and there are certain anomalies. If there are any that I can remove, I will certainly remove them.
§ Mr. FraserWill the Minister give an assurance that he will clear up this anomaly?
§ Mr. ShinwellI cannot give an assurance that T will clear up this one, but I will look into the matter closely.