§ Mr. JOHN TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will grant the Return standing on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street? [Mr. John Taylor.—Coal production (expenses and profits),—Return showing, for the United Kingdom and the principal coal mining districts, the quantity and value of coal produced, and the number and average wages of coal miners in each year 1901–10, together with the estimated amounts expended on miners' wages, and remaining for other expenses and coal-owners' profits in the United Kingdom in each year; with explanatory Memorandum (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 179, of Session 1901).]
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)I regret that the Return moved for could not be given without further and later data as to the average wages of coal miners than are at present in possession of the Board of Trade. I am sorry to say that we have not yet succeeded in enlisting the co-operation of the principal coal-owners in supplying returns for the purpose of the wages inquiry on which the Department has for some time been engaged, although I am glad to say that all the other great organised trades of the country have given us most valuable assistance in a matter which I regard as being of National importance. As my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, we are dependent in this matter on the good will of employers. I am therefore not in a position to say more at present than that if my hon. friend will confer with me as to the form of the return which he desires, I will consider how far it may be practicable to make another effort to secure the requisite information as to miners' wages.