§ 44. Mr. HARTSHORNasked the Secretary for Mines if he could say what quantity of coal was produced at a profit in the South Wales coalfield during the months of August, September, and October, 1925. respectively; and the amount of subsidy paid in respect of that output?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane-Fox)I regret that this information is not available. On average there were debit balances of 5s. 4¾d. and 3s. 9½d. in South Wales in August and September, respectively, before crediting subvention. After crediting subvention the debit balances were 2s. 5id. and 1s. 0¼d., respectively.
§ Mr. HARTSHORNMay I ask why this information is not available? Is not the right hon. Gentleman's Department obtaining from each colliery company this actual information. Why cannot we get the information?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI do not say that the information is not obtainable, but I have not got it now. The money is being paid to bridge the gap between two different scales of wages in the collieries. The point whether the collieries are making a profit or loss does not come into the matter.
§ Mr. HARTSHORNIs it not a fact that in respect of every individual colliery company a return is made to the hon. Member's Department, and that this information can be supplied it he cares to do so. It is very important that we should have this information?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI will certainly inquire whether much labour will be involved in obtaining it, but can only repeat that I have not got this information now.
§ Mr. HARTSHORNIf I repeat the question next week, will the hon. and gallant Member be able to get it?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI will inquire, and see what can be done.