§ 40. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the number of miners employed in the South Wales coalfield has fallen by nearly 3,000 in the last 12 months; and if he will state the number of colliery surface workers called to the Armed Forces under the Military Service Acts.
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes. I am aware of the decline in the labour force in the South Wales coalfield. As regards the second part of the Question, I regret that statistics of the number of colliery surface workers called up under the National Service Acts are not available.
§ 41. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Labour if he will cause an inquiry to be made into the effect of the Military Service Acts upon employment and production in the British coalfields.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo. The arrangements for deferment of call-up of men employed in the coalmining industry have been designed to assist in maintaining the 153W labour force needed for underground work in particular and in my view are working satisfactorily.