§ 12. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines the number of pits working, the number of men employed, and the weekly wages paid in the Durham coalfield in October, 1924, and April, 1928, respectively?
§ Commodore KINGIn October, 1924, 226 pits were at work, employing 158,700 wage-earners. The corresponding figures for April, 1928, were 217 and 126,200. The estimated wekly wage hill in October, 1924, was £378,000, and in March, 1928, the latest month for which information is available, £248,000.
§ Mr. BATEYIn view of the large number of men who have been thrown out of work since this Government came into office, do not the Government propose to take any steps to help these men now instead of in 18 months' time?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for debate.