§ Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware of the complaints of collieries in Lanarkshire drawing coal on Sundays as if they were ordinary days of the week; has any inquiry been made into the matter by his Department; will he state the names of the collieries at which this practice is carried on; and if he will take the necessary steps to enable his Department to put an end to such a, practice?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI have received no complaints on this subject except for the hon. Member's own representations. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I am only aware of three collieries in Lanark where ordinary coal-drawing is being carried out on Sundays, namely, Auchengeich, Douglas Castle and 847W Wester Auchengeich, and I am informed it is done at these collieries to secure a full six afternoon shifts a week without entailing work on every Saturday afternoon. With regard to the last part of the question, I strongly disapprove of ordinary Sunday working which as the hon. Member is aware, is one of the questions dealt with in the draft International Convention which is receiving the consideration of the Governments principally concerned.