§ 76. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether the introduction of machinery into the coal mines has resulted in a decrease in the costs of production; and whether he can give what were the costs of production other than wages for March, 1924, and March, 1934?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)The introduction of machinery has no doubt resulted in some cases in a decrease in the total cost per unit of production, although it is impracticable to say to what extent. But there are many instances in which an increase in mechanisation has not brought a reduction in costs. In fact, the success or otherwise of mechanisation appears to depend almost entirely upon the particular set of conditions obtaining at each individual mine, and it is difficult to draw any general conclusions. The costs of production, other than wages, during the December quarter, 1933, the latest period for which particulars are available, were 4s. 3d. per ton disposable commercially, as compared with 5s. 3½d. during the December quarter, 1923, and 5s. 3d. during the March quarter, 1924. In the last 10 years the general price level has, of course, fallen considerably.
§ Mr. MARTINIs it not a fact that the output per man has increased in the last 10 years? Could it not therefore be said that the cost of production has decreased?
§ Mr. BROWNIt would not be right to draw a general conclusion by isolating one factor of that kind.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLIs it not the case that the cost of production has gone down?