HC Deb 24 April 1934 vol 288 cc1540-1
39 Mr. GORDON MAC-DONALD

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) the number of man shifts worked in the mining industry during the first quarter of the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire;

(2) the number of persons employed in the mining industry during the first quarters of the years 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, giving separate figures for Lancashire;

(3) the output per man per shift in the mining industry in the first quarter of 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

Mr. E. BROWN

As the reply to these questions involves a statistical table, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. MACDONALD

What is the reason for circulating this answer, when last week the hon. Gentleman, in answer to a question as to output, was able to give the figures to the House?

Mr. BROWN

It is a whole series of tables.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the ' House whether the number of miners in Lancashire is increasing or declining?

Mr. BROWN

It is declining.

Mr. MACDONALD

Is that due to the Government's policy?

Mr. BROWN

Certainly not. It would have declined much more but for the Government's policy.

Following is the table:

COAL MINING INDUSTRY.
Quarter ended 31st March. Estimated number of manshifts worked above and below-ground. Average number of wage earners on colliery books. Average output per manshift worked above and below-ground (cwts.).
A.—Great Britain.
1931 … … … … 52,700,000 878,800 21.78
1932 … … … … 50,800,000 836,400 21.98
1933 … … … … 49,600,000 788,800 22.67
1934 … … … … * 787,000 *
B.—Lancashire and Cheshire.
1931 … … … … 4,505,000 72,900 17.51
1932 … … … … 4,088,000 68,800 17.63
1933 … … … … 4,027,000 65,300 18.59
1934 … … … … * 63,700 *
* Not yet available.