HC Deb 19 December 1933 vol 284 cc1091-3
12and 13. Mr. GORDON MACDONALD

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the amount paid in royalties in the coalmining industry of Great Britain during the first nine months of this year and for each of the previous four years, giving separate figures for Lancashire;

(2) the total profits in the coal-mining industry of Great Britain during the first nine months of 1933 and for each of the previous four years, giving separate figures for Lancashire?

Mr. E. BROWN

As the reply involves statistical tables I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. MACDONALD

Can the hon. Member say whether the amount is less or more this year?

Mr. BROWN

There are ten tables, and I think that my hon. Friend had better analyse them. I think he will find that the amount is less.

Mr. PIKE

Will the hon. Member also publish figures for the last four years showing where losses have been made?

Mr. BROWN

If a question is put down, I will see what answer I can give.

Following are the tables:

Period. Total Amount of Royalties and Way leaves* paid by Colliery Owners in
Great Britain.† Lancashire and Cheshire.
£ £
1929 5,912,000 373,400
1930 5,457,00 348,700
1931 5,135,000 352,100
1932 4,827,000 316,500
1933 (Jan. to Sept.). 3,552,000 242,800
* Including the rental value of freehold minerals where worked by the proprietors.
† The particulars included for South Wales and Monmouth relate to the years ended 31st January, 1930 to 1933, and to the nine months ended 31st October, 1933.

Period. Net Profits (+) or Losses (-) of the Coal Mining Industry.
Great Britain.* Lancashire and Cheshire.
£ £
1929 + 4,302,000 -105,400
1930 + 3,892,000 -150,200
1931 + 2,897,000 -19,200
1932 + 1,522,000 -57,300
1933 (Jan. to Sept.). + 235,000† -225,700†
* The particulars included for South Wales and Monmouth relate to the years ended 31st January, 1930 to 1933, and to the nine months ended 31st October, 1933.
† These figures cannot be compared with those for calendar years since the trading results during the December Quarter of recent years have shown a substantial profit.

NOTE.—The figures given above are based on the returns furnished in connection with the wages ascertainments and exclude those items which, by agree- merit, are inadmissible as charges for the purpose of those ascertainments, such as interest on debentures or other loans, bank charges, amortisation and taxation.