§ Mr. MASONasked what had been the decrease in the output of coal in the United Kingdom during the last six months of 1909, compared with the same six months of 1908?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)I am unable to say what has been the output of coal during the last six months of 1909, as the returns which are furnished to the Home Office in pursuance of the Act give only the total output for the year. The output for the year shows an increase over the whole country of two and a quarter million tons, seven districts—including Northumberland and Durham, where the Act was not in operation—showing increases and five districts showing decreases. The figures will be published in the course of a few days.
§ Mr. MASONMay I ask whether the five districts are districts in which the Act is already in operation?
Mr. HARVEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the pits were working full time, even under the Eight Hours Act?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI understand that Northumberland and Durham are included in the seven districts where there has been an increase, and in those two counties the Act is not yet in operation. Over the whole country there has been an increase of two and a quarter million tons.