South Yorkshire Times, January 9th, 1960
Minister Impressed by Visit to Manvers
Told of the Need for a Shorter Working Day
Members of the N.U.M. branch at Manvers Main Colliery feel that a shorter working day for miners is long overdue. Secretary of the branch Mr. Jim Randerson, appealed to the Minister of Power, the Right Hon. Richard F. Wood who visited the colliery on Monday to lend his support to consideration of the demands by the N.U.M. for a six-hour working day underground and a seven-hour day on the surface. “In add to the present 7 ½ hour shift there is half an hours winding time and one hour for changing and bathing at the commencement and end of each shift, making in all a nine-hour day.” he said. Mr. Randerson contended that the conditions under which miners worked warranted a shorter working day
When asked to reply to this appeal the Minister said the answer should be sought from the chairman of the Board. “He is responsible for the industry” he said.
One of the First Stops
Monday’s visit by the Minister was one of his first stops in a nation-wide tour of coalfields, gas, electricity undertakings and iron and steel industries.
The newly appointed Minister had motored from his country home at Bishop Wilton near Garrowby, to Wath. Making his first trip underground he descended the 1,023 deep shaft in the North-Eastern district of the Haigh Moor seam at the colliery and was conveyed along the quarter mile stretch of roadway to within a few yards of the coal face.
He chatted for a while with Deputy Mr. Joe Toft and fillers, Mr. Fred Law and Mr. Fred Braisby, returning to the surface after a ninety-minute tour of inspection.
Accompanying him underground were Mr. H. Heap, No. 3 Area General Manager, Mr. W. H. Sales, Chairman of the North-Eastern Division, Mr. J. E. B. Holtom, Group Manager, Mr. F. Steele, Agent-Manager, Mr. C. Machin, Division Production Director, Mr. H. E. Cullins, National Board Member Mr. H. J. Perrins, Divisorial Inspector of Mines and Mr. H. Scholes the Minister’s Private Secretary. The Minister later toured the Central Coal Preparation Plant at Manvers and visited the training centre to meet the local management and trade union officials.
Pledge of Support
Welcoming the Minister, Mr. Randerson wished him every success in the difficult days ahead. “We pledge you the support of the Yorkshire miners to make our industry efficient and able to meet present day competition,” he said. Mr. Randerson said this could only be achieved by complete understanding between management and workers.
At the conclusion of his visit to the colliery, the Minister revealed that this was his first trip underground. “If I had made the journey in any pit other than a Yorkshire one, I should have got into great trouble” he commented with a smile. The Minister said the first people he had spoken to underground came from Ireland – “but I met a few Yorkshiremen later on.” he added.
“My object is not only to try to visit all around the Island and see what is happening in the coal industry, but also to take a look at the gas and electricity authorities and also the iron and steel industry. I have been very impressed with what I have seen this afternoon.” he said.
More Competition
Speaking about the coal position in this country, the Minister said he thought the estimate of 196 million tons shown in the recently revised plan for coal was the best that could be made in the circumstances. “The government has a policy which sets out to try to produce fuel for consumers as cheaply and efficiently as possible. The coal industry is facing more and more competition from other fuels and the policy is designed to maintain and increase outputs in the next few years.” he said.
On Tuesday the Minister visited the Safety in the Mines research establishment in Sheffield and the Field Station at Harpur Hill, Buxton. He travelled on to Leeds on Wednesday to call at the Central Electricity Board headquarters at Scarcroft and gave a press conference in the afternoon.