HC Deb 09 November 1926 vol 199 cc849-50
3. Mr. HANNON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to present to the House a statement of the aggregate loss which Great Britain and Northern Ireland has sustained consequent upon the general strike and the coal stoppage since the 1st May in the present year?

7. Sir WALTER de FRECE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now able to give any revised and up-to- date estimate of the aggregate loss caused by the coal dispute to the trade of the country?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The loss in production due to the cessation of work since 1st May by miners and others, and the reduced activity consequent on this increase in unemployment, may be estimated, on the basis of calculation I have used in a previous answer, as amounting to between £250,000,000 and £300,000,000. Losses due to disturbance of trade connections, and to contracts and orders not secured, are not included in this estimate. It would be impossible to estimate these.

Mr. HANNON

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position later, if I put a question down, to give a nearer figure of the total amount of loss sustained?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No; I could not give any nearer figure than the figure I have given, because no one can say what contracts have been lost.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the strike of 1921, which only lasted 13 weeks, it was estimated that it would cost the country £500,000,000?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

That estimate included a great many other things besides the very limited figure I have given of £250,000,000 to £300,000,000, which is only the direct loss in production.

Colonel APPLIN

May I ask if this loss is not largely due to the intimidation of those who are desirous of working?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.

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