§ 1. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give the figures of the number of persons employed in the coal mines of Great Britain in August, 1932, and the number employed in August, 1931, with similar figures for Lancashire?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)The average number of wage-earners employed at coal mines in Great Britain in August, 1932, was 778,900 as compared with 821,700 in August, 1931. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 65,100 and 69,800, respectively.
§ Mr. TINKERCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the fall in unemployment was greater during the last 12 months than in the previous 12 months?
§ Mr. HANNONHas the answer given by the hon. Member any relation to the coal legislation of the late Government?
§ Mr. BROWNI think my hon. Friend would be guilty of the error of over-simplification if he put it that way.
§ 3. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines the number of persons employed in the coal mines in the county of Durham during the first week of October, 1931 and 1932?
§ Mr. BROWNThe number of wage earners employed at coal mines in Dur- 786 ham during the first week of October, 1932, was 98,400, as compared with 105,600 during the corresponding period of 1931.
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member knows quite well, and if we were to debate that subject we should be here all night.
§ 5. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary for Mines how many mine-workers were in employment in Great Britain in August, 1931, and how many in October, 1932?
§ Mr. BROWNThe average number of wage-earners at mines in Great Britain, during the first two weeks of October, 1932, was 773,100, as compared with 821,700 during August, 1931.