HC Deb 06 November 1947 vol 443 cc1998-2000
40. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the coal mines of this country have given effect to the increased working hours by working extra time during weekdays; and what proportion by working Saturday shifts and when each of these systems will be fully operating.

63. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what reply he has received from the National Union of Mine-workers to his request for an extra half hour's work per day; and if he is satisfied with the answer; and if he will make a statement on today's position.

Mr. Gaitskell

The Government have noted with satisfaction that an agreement has been concluded between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers providing for the working of extra hours. Under the agreement, the Divisional Coal Boards and the area executives of the union are invited to collaborate in arranging longer shifts within the present five-day week, or Saturday working, or both, having regard to local circumstances. Any extra time worked will be paid for at the overtime rates prescribed under the Five-Day Week Agreement.

While final arrangements between all Divisional Boards and area executives on methods of working the extra time have not yet been concluded, provisional arrangements have in most cases been made, and I am advised that 178 pits in the Scottish, Northern, East Midland and West Midland Divisions began Saturday working on 1st November, and that 74 collieries in the Northern Division began extra half-hour working daily from 3rd November. Under these arrangements, which are expected to operate generally from 8th November, collieries producing 66 per cent. of the national output will work alternate Saturdays, 21 per cent. every Saturday, 10 per cent. an extra half-hour daily five days a week, and a few will work one Saturday in four. At a few collieries no arrangements have yet been made.

It is also provided in the agreement that if in practice the working of extra time proves unsatisfactory from the point of view of output or costs, or interferes with progress towards fully satisfactory working of the normal shifts, the arrangements may be terminated by the Divisional Board after consultation with the area executive of the union.

Colonel Hutchison

In view of the divided opinions held by His Majesty's Government and the National Union of Mineworkers and many other people in the country, as to which of these systems has produced the better results, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the figures to be included in the Government's Report on the production of coal so as to show which of these systems is, in fact, producing more coal than the other?

Mr. Gaitskell

I doubt whether that suggestion would be practicable, but I will consider it.

Colonel Clarke

Can the Minister inform us how many weeks have been taken in arriving at these rather indeterminate conclusions?

Mr. Gaitskell

I would not accept that the conclusions are indeterminate when they have already resulted in a substantial increase in coal production. As far as I recollect, the negotiations began somewhere towards the end of July.

Mr. Thomas Brown

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the North-Western area we have already lost one day's output owing to the stupid action of the Coal Board in that district in failing to reach an agreement?

Mr. Gaitskell

Yes, Sir. I am aware that there has been a failure to reach agreement in the North-Western region, and I regret it, but I do not think it would be particularly helpful for us to criticise either side in this matter.