§ 2. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade the cost of wages per ton of coal at the pit's mouth, the number of persons employed in the coalmining industry, and the output per person for the years 1913 and 1919, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman)The cost of wages per ton of coal raised at the pit's mouth was 6s. 4.01d. in 1913 and 18s. 7.68d. in 1919; the numbers of persons employed in the industry were 1,110,884 in 1913 and 1,163,000 in 1919, and the output per person (above and below ground) was 259 tons for 1913 and 197½ tons for 1919.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs it not a fact that the output during last year was some 50,000,000 tons less than in 1913?
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGDid the hon. Gentleman say that the cost of labour was 18s. per ton?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN18s. per ton net.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs my hon. Friend aware of the shortage of output?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am fully aware of it.
9. Colonel NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what is the total yearly sum represented by the most recent increase in the wages of those employed in the coal industry; whether this sum will be met by an increase in the coal subsidy or by increased charges on the users of coal for household and industrial purposes; and, if by the latter alternative, what is the estimated advance in price per ton for household and industrial coal?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIn answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the recent increase in wages is estimated to cost approximately £31,500,000 apart from certain incidental and consequential increases. The other parts of the question relate to matters which are under consideration, and I hope to make a statement at an early date.