§ 25. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines what was the output per man-shift worked at the coalface in the Yorkshire area for each ascertainment period since January, 1927?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)The average output of coal per man-shift worked at the coalface in Yorkshire was as follows:
Cwts. January … … … 55 February … … … 56 March … … … 57 April … … … 56
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us exactly what that increase represents compared with the output per person for 1925 and 1926?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, if the hon. Member will put a question down.
§ 26. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines what percentage on basis rates has been paid to miners in Yorkshire for each period covered by ascertainments since December, 1926, to the present time?
§ Colonel LANE FOXAs the information asked for involves a tabular statement, I will circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask if the tabulated statement is any longer than the statement he gave in reply to the last question?
| PERCENTAGE on basis rates payable to Miners in Yorkshire from December, 1926, to July, 1927. | |||||||
| Month. | Underground Workers. | Surface Workers. | |||||
| South and West Yorkshire. | South Yorkshire. | West Yorkshire. | |||||
| Eastern Sub-Division. | Western Sub-Division. | ||||||
| Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent. | ||||
| December,1926 | … | … | … | 46.67 | 46.67 | 45.00 | 41.67 |
| January,1927 | … | … | … | 46.67 | 46.67 | 45.00 | 41.67 |
| February, 1927 | … | … | … | 46.67 | 46.67 | 45.00 | 41.67 |
| March, 1927 | … | … | … | 61.81 | 61.81 | 60.14 | 56.81 |
| April, 1927 | … | … | … | 51.08 | 51.08 | 49.41 | 46.08 |
| May, 1927 | … | … | … | 41.71 | 41.71 | 40.44 | 36.71 |
| June, 1927 | … | … | … | 36.00* | 36.00* | 34.33* | 31.00* |
| July, 1927 | … | … | … | 36.00* | 36.00* | 34.33* | 31.00* |
| *Minimum. |
§ 27. Mr. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines what was the average pit-head price for coal in Yorkshire for each ascertainment period from January, 1927, to the latest date?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe average pithead proceeds from coal disposed of commercially in Yorkshire were as follow:
Per ton. s. d. January … … … 18 11 February … … … 18 0 March … … … 16 8 April … … … 15 11
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman obtained figures for the last two months which show the ups and downs of the prices?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI have given the hon. Member the last figures that I have.
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe hon. Member will be able to see it. It is very interesting.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, notwithstanding the persistent increase in the output per man per shift, there is a persistent decrease in the amount of wages received; and does he intend to do anything to put that matter right?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThat has no reference to the question on the Paper.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask whether the Government are taking any steps to carry out the suggestion of the Coal Commission, that the one way of solving the coal problem is to reorganise selling prices?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThat is a subject on which the hon. Member can make an eloquent speech to-morrow if he desires.