§ 60. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines the total amount paid in miners' wages for the last week in March, 1921 and 1927, respectively?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)Particulars of wages paid, which are available only for monthly periods, amounted in March, 1921, when the cost of living figure was 141 and the number of men employed in the industry was appreciably larger than to-day, to £21,250,000. The corresponding figure for March, 1927, when the cost of living figure was 71, was just over £12,000,000, the latter figure being an estimate.
§ Mr. BATEYAs the right hon. Gentleman mentions that the number of unemployed was high in 1921, could he give the figure for 1921?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes, Sir, if the hon. Member will put down a question.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDo I rightly understand that the difference between the two sets of figures is approximately £9,000,000?
§ Colonel LANE FOXYes. If the hon. Member will look into other industries, he will find a similar result in the two years.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the reduction in the rate of wages has contributed largely to the unemployment problem?