Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will obtain a report from His Majesty's representative in Russia as to the decision of the coal directorate, the governing body of the nationalised coal industry in Russia, to require an annual output from each hewer; what output is required; and how many hours working underground this involves?
1978W
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have already made inquiries but cannot confirm the supposed decision of the Russian Coal Directorate. My hon. and gallant Friend has possibly seen a report based on the programme of the Donetz Coal Trust, which provided for an average output per hewer of 763½ tons for the year 1926–27. In other parts of Russia the annual output per hewer varies enormously. The laws of the Union lay down a six-hour day for hewers. Cases of infringement have been reported from time to time and overtime has usually been ascribed to housing shortage at the mines which limits the number of men who can be taken on.