§ 19. Mr. Sylvesterasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of man shifts lost in the mining industry through trade disputes from V.E. day to the end of February, 1948; and comparative figures for a similar period after Armistice day, 1918.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe number of days lost owing to industrial disputes in the coalmining industry between V.E. day and the end of February, 1948, was about ¾ million. In the 34 months from November, 1918 to August, 1921, 98 million days were lost.
§ Mr. SylvesterWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the number of days lost since V.E. day has been caused largely by the grades of people commonly called officials, who never struck under the old private owners; and, further, would not he agree that, even taking into account these stoppages, the policy pursued by this Government has saved the country from the turmoil in this industry that followed the 1914–18 war?
§ Mr. IsaacsI think the best and most correct answer I can give is that it is due to improved industrial relationships generally.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what percentage of these stoppages since 1945 have been official and what percentage unofficial?
§ Mr. IsaacsI could not say without notice.