§ 11. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal-cutters and conveyors, respectively, in British pits in 1913 and 1932 and the percentage of coal cut by mechanical means in each of these years?
§ Mr. E. BROWNIn 1932, 3,265 face-conveyors and 7,137 coal-cutters were in use at mines in Great Britain and 38 per cent. of the total output was cut by machine. The corresponding figures for 1913 were 359, 2,895 and 8, respectively. In addition 855 conveyors were in use elsewhere below ground in 1932 but similar information is not available for 1913.
§ Mr. COCKSCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the matter is being examined by the Government to find out the number of miners thrown out of work by the increasing mechanisation of the coal industry?
§ Mr. BROWNThe Government are engaged in making very great efforts to increase the exports of coal to Scandinavian countries by way of negotiations which are now approaching a conclusion.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWould not the best way to achieve that object be to do away with the quota system altogether?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the negotiations with foreign countries to which he referred are making any progress; and will he be good enough to answer the question as to whether there is any evidence in the Department of any increase in the number of accidents consequent upon the introduction of coal-cutting machines?
§ Mr. BROWNI should like to see that particular question on the Paper. As regards the first part of the question, I do not think that the House will have to wait long.