§ MR. JOWETTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the value of the various minerals raised in the United Kingdom during 1905 amounted to £95,870,700; and whether he can say how much of this sum was paid in wages and how much was appropriated by the owners of mineral rights, royalties and wayleaves.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe facts stated in the first part of the Question fire correct. It is not possible to state the aggregate amount paid in wages in the mining industries, as no exhaustive inquiry has taken place into the earnings of the various classes of workpeople in the United Kingdom since 1886. An-other inquiry of a similar character is now about to be made, and when that is completed it is hoped that definite information with regard to earnings in the mining industry will be available. The latest information available as to mining royalties and wayleaves is that collected by the Royal Commission on Mining Royalties, 1889–93, who estimated the amount paid in royalties and wayleaves on the output of 1889 at £4,873,000.
§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYIs it not the fact that during the last five years the average profits including wages for 755 the mines of the United Kingdom have amounted to £21,000,000, whereas the average profits of the preceding five years were £9,500,000? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the increase of the wages during that time was in the same proportion?
§ * MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that Question.