HC Deb 26 October 1943 vol 393 cc53-4W
Mr. Pickthorn

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the effect of the Mining Industry Act, 1926, Section 18 (1), authorising Ministerial regulation to secure preference in the employments of getting, handling, hauling, preparing and despatching coal to those already so employed before 30th April, 1926?

Major Lloyd George

Section 18 of the Mining Industry Act, 1926, which was designed to regulate entry into coalmining, is no longer in force. The power to make regulations under this Section was not exercised in view of an undertaking entered into by the Mining Association of Great Britain on behalf of colliery undertakings to restrict new engagements of workpeople of 18 years of age and over

Percentage of Shifts lost by Wage-earners at the Coal Face. Percentage of Shifts lost by all Wage-earners.
Voluntary. Involuntary. Total. Voluntary. Involuntary. Total.
1940 Not available 10.34 Not available 8.27
1941 Not available 11.21 Not available 9.03
1942 Not available 12.81 Not available 10.20
40 weeks ended 9th October, 1943 {Provisional) 6.04 8.77 14.81 4.83 7.26 12.09

Flight-Lieutenant Raikes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many shifts per person per week were worked in the coalmining industry during 1940, 1941, 1942 and the first three quarters of 1943, in the country as a whole and in each district?

Major Lloyd George

As the answer involves a number of figures, I append a in certain occupations to persons who were engaged in those occupations immediately prior to the coal stoppage of 1926. Many miners who had not been re-engaged following the termination of the stoppage were brought back to the industry as a result of the operation of the undertaking.