§ 9 and 84. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the North Staffordshire potteries are having to close down through want of coal, that they are not getting one-half of their ration supply though that supply is only 75 per cent. of the 1916 amount, and meanwhile coal is being sent out of the district for household consumption; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent 50,000 people being thrown out of work in the coming winter; (2) whether he is aware that owing to the bad distribution of coal there is likely to be 40,000 unemployed in potteries this winter, if not before; that there are no war factories in the district to absorb the unemployed, that the men are all fighting, and the unemployed are 10 old folks and women; and what steps his Department contemplate taking to meet this exceptional difficulty?
Sir A. STANLEYA Committee has been formed, consisting of representatives of the Government Departments concerned, to assist in determining how the available supplies of coal shall best be distributed on the basis of giving preference to requirements for the prosecution of the War. A priority scheme has been built up by the Controller for discussion by this Committee and he explained the principles of the scheme to a deputation from the Potteries a few days ago. The Controller has received a letter from the National Council of the Pottery Industry, asking that the trade might be allowed to ration itself, and has replied, expressing willingness provided it is clearly understood that this will be done within the limits of the amount of coal to be allotted to the industry. The output of coal is seriously interfered with at the present time owing to the ravages of influenza, quite apart from the effect of the "comb-out" of miners plus increased demands for our Allies.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it to be understood from that answer that a certain amount of coal will be allowed to the potting industry, and that they will be allowed to ration that coal themselves amongst the different potteries?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we also to understand that the Board of Trade will take steps to see that the industry is to some extent kept alive during this crisis?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill steps be taken to increase the supply of coal in the Pottery districts?
Sir A. STANLEYThe demands for coal as a whole must be taken into consideration. We cannot specialise in regard to any particular industry, unless it is absolutely essential.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the whole of this district depends solely on the potting trade because there are no war industries, and that therefore there is a risk of serious unemployment?
Sir A. STANLEYI am not unmindful of the seriousness of the position. On the other hand, there is only a certain amount of coal to go round. That is our difficulty.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the seriousness of the position in this district is peculiarly hard? As a matter of fact, the Pottery rates have been raised to 13s. in the £1 at Hanley; the distress is great; and will the right hon. Gentleman realise exceptional circumstances?
§ 10. Major HENRY TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state what was the increase in the rate of wages paid in the South Wales coalfield above the 1879 standard rate on the 1st August, 1914, on the 1st April, 1917, and on the 1st June, 1918, or on the nearest to the above dates, respectively, for which figures are available; what bonuses were payable in addition to wages on each of the above dates; and whether there has been any increase and, if so, what increase in the rate of wages or any further bonus since the 1st June, 1918?
Sir A. STANLEYThe general wage rates as determined by the Conciliation Board in the South Wales Coalfield on the dates mentioned were as follows:
No bonus in addition to these rates was payable on 1st August, 1914, or on 1st April, 1917; but on 1st June, 1918, the war wage of 1s. 6d. per day to those over sixteen, and 9d. per day to those under sixteen, was also payable. As from 30th June, 1918, a further war wage of 1s. 6d. (and 9d.) per day has been added to that previously paid.
- On 1st August, 1914, 60 per cent. above the 1879 standard.
- On 1st April, 1917, 133¼ per cent. above the 1879 standard.
- On 1st June, 1918, 133½ per cent. above the 1879 standard.
§ Major TERRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman say how much, including the bonuses, that makes above the standard of 1914?
Sir A. STANLEYI cannot calculate it at the moment, but I should be very glad to do so and communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.
§ 13. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the shortage of coal for export and home consumption is due to the reduced output of our coal mines; whether the miners are confining their efforts to working eight hours per day and less than six days per week; and whether, in view of the injury and inconvenience caused by the shortage of coal, it can be arranged that a greater number of men shall be employed in the mines or that those now engaged shall work overtime in getting coal?
Sir A. STANLEYThe shortage of coal to which the hon. Member refers is due in part to the decrease in the output of coal arising from the recruitment of a quota of 75,000 Grade 1 miners, and in part to increased demands by our Allies. The daily hours of work of miners underground are regulated by the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1908, and there are not at present adequate grounds for believing that any increase in the hours of work would lead to an increase in output. The customary number of days worked per week at collieries in certain districts is less than six, but the number of districts to which this applies is less than it was before the War.
At the present time a certain number of miners now in the Home Army of low medical categories are being released to return to work in the mines, but the number available for release is necessarily limited by the requirements of the military situation. The executive of the British Miners' Federation have pledged themselves to the Prime Minister to use all their influence to get the miners to improve the output, and to work regularly.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs coal not as important as other munitions of war, and would it not be in the national interest that the Miners' Eight Hours Act should be suspended during the period of the War?
Sir A. STANLEYAs I have already stated, there is no evidence for the moment which would indicate that any substantial relief would be secured if that particular Act were suspended.
§ Major TERRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the decreased output is not in a large measure due to the decrease of output per man of the existing men that are left in the collieries, and not merely to the fact that so many men have been called up for the Colours?
Sir A. STANLEYI think it would be true to say that the decrease is in a measure due to the decreased output per miner, but it should be borne in mind that the men who are left in the mines, taking them on the average, have not secured that degree of physical fitness that prevailed prior to the War.
§ Colonel W. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that if the Eight Hours Act were suspended there would be any more coal turned out?
§ 14. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the inconvenience and, in many instances, hardship inflicted by the Fuel Rationing Order and restrictions; that the allowances for coal, gas, and electric light are inadequate even for those who practise strict economy; whether miners are exempt from the provisions of this rationing Order; whether miners are allowed 13 tons of free coal per cottage per annum, and, if not, what is the amount; and whether, if rationing of coal is necessary, miners and other classes of the community will be treated alike?
Sir A. STANLEYI am aware that there may be some inconvenience attached to the restrictions in the Fuel Rationing Order, but it is hoped that actual hardship will be avoided. The Order is framed with that intention. Free coal is allowed to miners in only two counties, but cheap coal is allowed in most of the coal-mining districts, the general amount being a load every four weeks, a load varying from 15 to 20 hundredweights. This coal allowance is intimately connected with the remuneration of the miners, and the exceptional conditions of mining labour require a fire in the miners' cottages generally during the whole twenty-four hours. An appeal has been made to the miners to economise in their consumption.
Mr. RUNCIMAMIs my right hon. Friend aware that, under the Order as it stands, a signalman or a railwayman who lives in one of these mining villages would be limited to from 3½ to 4 tons in the course of a year, whereas a miner would have from 13 to 14 tons?
Sir A. STANLEYI think that is quite true, but, as I pointed out in my reply, there is quite a difference in the way of living as between the miner and the sig- 14 nalman. As my right hon. Friend knows, for he has no doubt visited a number of these cottages, as I have done, the way the miners have to live does require considerably more coal on the average than would be the case in almost any other occupation.
§ 15. Mr. HOUSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of coal for export; that, by reason of this shortage, many steamers have to sail in ballast from this country to the Argentine and elsewhere; that many steamers have been ordered to proceed from this country in ballast to the United States, there to load coal for the Argentine; and whether he is aware that quantities of grain and other foodstuffs have been purchased in the Argentine, and that, if cargoes of coal could be sent to the Argentine, the sale of this coal and the freights earned thereon would help to pay for the foodstuffs purchased there, and so tend to reduce the disparity of our imports over exports?
Sir A. STANLEYThe answer is in the affirmative. The position is explained by the fact of the urgent extra demands for our Allies and the reduced output of the collieries due to the epidemic of influenza, and the calling up of 75,000 Grade 1 men for the Army.
§ Mr. HOUSTONDoes my right hon. Friend not see that, as a consequence, we are not only increasing our debt to the Argentine, but to America also?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWould it not be better to use the coal for producing pottery than sending it to the Argentine?
Mr. RUNCIMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the county of Northumberland there is at least 1,000,000 tons of small coal lying on the ground which could be shifted if tonnage and wagons were made available?