HC Deb 23 November 1953 vol 521 c17
26. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average number of shifts worked by underground miners in 1932, 1938 and during 1953.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

4.31, 4.73 and 4.54 per week.

Dr. Stross

Has the Minister noticed that it has become fashionable in certain quarters to criticise miners for not working more shifts, or, at any rate, not producing more coal? Does he agree, and, if so, will he state categorically, that with modern mechanisation in the mines men working 4.5 shifts per week are doing a jolly good job of work?

Mr. Lloyd

There is no doubt that miners are doing a very good job of work, but it would be quite wrong, on the basis of a supplementary answer, to make a careful statistical approach to problems of production.