§ Mr. G. BARKERasked the Secretary for Mines the number of men employed at the mines in Monmouthshire and South Wales whose wages for a full week's work are less than 40s.; the average number of shifts per week these men have been able to work up to 31st May this year; and what steps he proposes to take to augment this wage to enable these men to live without seeking parish relief?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have no information as to the number of men in South Wales and Monmouthshire whose wages are less than 40s. for a full week, or as to the number of shifts worked by them. The number of days on which, on the average, pits in this district worked during the five months ended 31st May varied from 5.36 to 5.85 a week. As regards the last part of the question, I fear I have no power to augment wages; an improvement can only be brought about by an improvement in trade.