§ 23. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the average weekly wage of the workers in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain in 1920 and also in 1930, 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 the nine months ended September, 1920, was £4 6s. 11d., and during the 11 months ended November, 1930, £2 4s. 4d. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were £4 1s. 0d. and £2 1s. 6d. respectively.
§ 24. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the weekly average number of days worked in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain in 1920 and 1930, respectively, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe average weekly number of days worked in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain, excluding periods affected by holidays and disputes, was 5.73 in 1920 and 4.85 in 1930. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 5.91 and 4.31, respectively.
§ 25. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the output per man per shift worked in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain in 1920 and also in 1930, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe output per man-shift worked in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain during the nine months ended September, 1920, was 14.70 cwts., and during the 11 months ended November, 1930, 21.61 cwts. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 12.69 cwts. and 17.29 cwts., respectively.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWould it be possible to say how much of that increase is due to machinery being introduced?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThere has been no considerable extension of machinery for mining operations in Lancashire and Cheshire, but there has been some.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWe take the average of those employed in the production of coal.