The local miner's pub in Nottingham where I used to live was called the "Collier's Arms"

Rates of pay varied over the years. This quote from Hansard is from 1930 and refers to the 1912 regulations

"In 1912, at the end of a six weeks' strike, the Liberal Government of that day passed the Minimum Wage Bill, which established in every district in the country a joint board for the purpose of fixing minimum wages for underground workers.

The condition of the mining industry prior to that strike was such that when the first award was given in the coalfields of Yorkshire, the 6s. 9d. per day minimum for the highest paid underground worker meant that thousands had to have 2s. and 3s. added to make their wages up to 6s. 9d. per day. In 1912 the 6s. 9d. per day was considered by many miners to be a very big advance in miners' conditions, but since that time the minimum wage in Yorkshire has been altered from 6s. 9d. to 6s. 9d. plus 32 per cent. Now we have the position that 8s. 9d., 9s. 3d. and 9s. 7d. has been fixed as the minimum wage for colliers in three districts in South Yorkshire. I do not think anyone in this House who understands mining conditions would say that that is an extravagant wage for men who work underground, and for those who are not colliers the minimum is in the region of 1s. or 1s. 6d. per shift less than the figures which I have quoted.

One part of this Bill endeavours to establish definite minimum figures for underground workers for piecework and day work. Another part of the Bill extends the provisions of the Act of 1912 to surface men and also to the coalfield of Kent which was excluded from the operation of the Act of 1912."

The figures given are daily rates (more accurately wages per shift)


Stu