§ Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the concern existing amongst the employes of the De Havilland aircraft works, Hatfield, at the continued dismissals of good workpeople; and, in view of the uncertainty that exists, will he take steps to improve the conditions and relationships at the factory?
§ Sir K. WoodI understand that, between 30 and 40 workers are being discharged this week as certain work in progress in the factory has reached a stage at which their services are no longer required. This number represents only a very small proportion of the total labour strength and there is no intention of
North Staffordshire. Year. Average Number of Persons Employed (including Clerks and Salaried Persons). Number of Coal-cutting Machines in use. Number of Conveyors in use. Output of Saleable Coal. Quantity of Coal cut by Machinery. Tons. Tons. 1920 … … 36,897 240 10 * 5,594,602 1,53, 07 1925 … … 35,335 280 41* 5,916,453 1,61,25 1930 … … 26,396 292 237 5,601,710 2,43,04 1935 … … 22,843 279 349 6,679,719 5,28,14 1938 … … 23,796 303 402 6,940,895 6,06,27 * In these years, the particulars relate to Conveyors in use at the coal face only. Note. — In 1920, the particulars of Persons Employed relate to those "ordinarily employed", and in the subsequent years, to the average number of Persons on Colliery Books, based upon four selected dates.
§ Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the average output per person employed in the North Staffordshire coal-mining area each year from 1920 to 1938; how many persons 430W effecting discharges on a large scale and in fact further work is being given to the company.