§ 8. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of pitwood and of steel for roof support in mines for 1929 and 1933, with the tonnage of coal raised in the same years?
Mr. BROWNThe output of saleable coal in Great Britain in 1929 was 257.9 million tons, and in 1933 207 million tons. Particulars of the quantities of pitwood and of steel for roof supports used in mines are not available, but as regards pitwood, the industry is mainly dependent on imported supplies, which were 2,692,506 loads in 1929 and 1,944,000 loads in 1933.
§ Mr. GRENFELLHas the hon. Gentleman been able to base any conclusion upon that information, regarding the relative safety of wood and steel props?
Mr. BROWNI would ask the hon. Gentleman to put that question down. I could give a lot of information, but general conclusions are another issue.