§ 46. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary for Mines the average output of coal per shift during the first five months of the 807 present year; and whether he can show the comparison between these figures and the output in the corresponding months in the years 1907, 1913, and the five months preceding the Report of the Coal Industry Commission presided over by Mr. Justice Sankey?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Bridgeman)The average output of coal per man-shift of seven hours during the first five months of the present year was nearly 20 cwts., as compared with 19 cwts. per man-shift of eight hours during the five months preceding the Report of the Coal Industry Commission. Figures for the corresponding months of 1907 and 1913 are not available. During the latter half of 1913 the average output of coal per man-shift of eight hours was about 21 cwts.
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask whether, in point of fact, the introduction of the seven hours' day has not been a very serious mistake in the industry?