§ 32. Mr. SUTTONasked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines in Lancashire and Cheshire producing coal on the latest available date and for the corresponding dates for the years 1924 and 1925; the total wages paid per week to the workpeople employed at the coal mines in Lancashire and Cheshire on the latest available date and for the corresponding dates for the years 1924 and 1925; and the number of workpeople employed at the coal mines in Lancashire and Cheshire for the same periods?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)At the middle of November, 1927, 250 pits were producing coal in Lancashire and Cheshire and 86,900 wage-earners were employed. The corresponding figures for 1924 were 274 and 105,000 and for 1925, 254 and 95,500. During October, 1927, the latest date for which information is available, the estimated total weekly wage-bill was £187,000. The corresponding figures for 1924 and 1925 were £257,000 and £216,000.
§ Mr. SUTTONHas the right hon. Gentleman heard that during the past few weeks a number of mines have been closed down in this district?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir. I believe some have closed down, but I should require notice of the question.
§ Mr. WILFRID PALINGDo the wages paid for this year take into account the fact that the miners in Lancashire owe a debt to the owners of about 10 weeks' wages? Has that been taken into account?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have been asked for the amount of the wages paid, and I have given the figures that have been paid.
§ Mr. PALINGIf this be taken away, it lowers the wages paid by exactly that amount?
§ Colonel LANE FOXNo, Sir. That is not the fact at all.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the fact that if the miners had only received what the ascertainment provided they would have received no wages for approximately 10 weeks?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThat has nothing to do with the question asked on the Order Paper, which I have answered, If the hon. Member wants that information, perhaps he will put down a question.