§ Colonel DAYasked the Under Secretary of State for India if he can state the number of mines under the Indian Mines Act working in 1924; and the number of mines working a 12-hour shift?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe number of mines that came within the scope of the Mines Act was 1804. As regards the 12-hour shift, the Government of India reported as follows a year ago: "No precise information is available to the Government of India regarding the number of mines where the working shift is 12 hours or more. The nominal shifts worked generally in coal and underground metal mines are 12 and eight hours respectively. Under Section 23 of the Indian Mines Act, 1923, the hours of work are limited to 54 hours per week for underground workers and 60 hours per52W week for surface workers. The average hours worked per week are well below these limits.