§ Mr. GRUNDYasked the Secretary for Mines how many demands have been made by colliery owners for reductions of wages over and above the reductions decided by the ascertainment of the accountants in the various areas; and if he can state how many mines are closed owing to these demands and the number of workpeople thrown out of employment?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have heard of a certain number of cases in which colliery owners are alleged to have called for wages reductions in excess of the reductions authorised by the operation of the national agreement, but I am unable to express any general opinion upon the merits of these allegations, nor have I any statistics which would enable me to give the figures asked for in this question.