§ 74. Captain PEAKEasked the Secretary for Mines the total sum expended since its inception by, and the present balance to the credit of, the Miner's Welfare Fund; and, in particular, the amount expended on the provision of pithead baths and the estimated number of men for whom bathing facilities are now available?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ben Turner)The total sum expended by the Miners' Welfare Committee since the inception of the Miners' Welfare Fund up to the 31st March last was £7,278,329 9s. At that date the unexpended balance of the fund was £2,493,193 1s. 1d., but of this sum £1,610,820 15s. 9d. had already been earmarked for future payments for various purposes. The total amount at present allocated for pit-head baths already constructed or in course of construction or for which tenders have been received is £1,111,888 15s. 2d. The sum actually paid out is £456,876 8s. Bathing accommodation is now available for approximately 40,500 men (including about 7,000 provided for outside the Miners' Welfare Fund) and the schemes now in hand will provide for about 64,000 more.