§ Mr. MacLARENasked the Secretary for Mines if he will inquire into the 690W method adopted in the North Staffordshire mines in imposing fines upon miners for allowing dirt to be present in the coal which they send to the pithead?
§ Commodore KINGI am informed that the arrangements in North Staffordshire with regard to deductions for excessive dirt sent out of the pit vary at individual collieries. In some eases of excessive dirt, fines are imposed or coal is not paid for as an alternative to dismissal. I understand that the existing arrangements have been in operation in most cases for many years, that they are accepted by the men's representatives and that they are in many cases the result of mutual agreement.