§ 99. Mr. CAIRNSasked the Secretary for Mines the difference in price of pit timber, iron rails, wagons, tubs, and 1083 pulleys, and the general plant connected with, the proper working of coal mines in Great Britain and Ireland at the present date and in June, 1914, respectively; what is the price now of pit oils, grease, and tallow, and in June, 1914, respectively; and what is the increase in the cost of a ton of coal between these two dates?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI regret that I have not the detailed information for which the hon. Member asks; the nearest approach that I can make to answering his question is to inform him that in the year 1914 the average cost of raising a ton of coal was 8s. 9½d., of which 2s. 1½d. represented costs other than wages and royalties; and that in the quarter ending 30th September, 1921, the latest period for which figures are available, the corresponding figures were 24s. 1d. and 6s. 7d. respectively.