§ 2. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the average weekly earnings in the mining industry in Great Britain in 1913, and for the latest date available, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe average weekly cash earnings of all workers employed in the coal mines in Great Britain during 1913 was £1 11s. 6d., and during 1930, £2 4s. 4d. I regret that similar information for Lancashire and Cheshire is not available for 1913, but during 1930 the figure was £2 1s. 10d.
§ 3. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the mining industry of Great Britain in 1913, and for the latest date for which figures are available, specifying the number employed underground and the number employed on the surface, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAs the reply involves a number of figures, I will circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
| — | Number of Persons employed in the Coal Mining Industry. | |
| Below ground. | On surface.* | |
| Great Britain— | ||
| 1913 | 890,800 | 213,600 |
| December, 1930 (provisional) | 719,600 | 188,600 |
| Lancashire and Cheshire— | ||
| 1913 | 84,600 | 23,100 |
| December, 1930 (provisional) | 57,100 | 17,900 |
| * Including Clerks and Salaried persons. |
§ 4. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the total output of coal cut by machines in the mining industry of Great Britain in 1913 and at the latest date available, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIn 1913, the total quantity of coal cut by machines at mines in Great Britain was 24,369,516 tons and in 1930, 71,949,511 tons. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 1,995,481 tons and 3,840,293 tons, respectively.
§ Mr. McSHANECan my hon. Friend state whether, in respect of last year, there was a tendency for the number of coal-cutting machines to be reduced?
§ Mr. SHINWELLOver the whole country, I should say no.