HC Deb 09 April 1935 vol 300 cc961-3
18. Miss WARD

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give figures of the export of coal from this country to the Argentine in 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934?

Mr. E. BROWN

The quantity of coal exported from this country to the Argentine in 1931 was 2,091,218 tons; in 1932, 1,846,464 tons; in 1933, 1,852,122 tons and in 1934, 1,937,066 tons.

17. Mr. GORDON MACDONALD

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of colliery companies operating in Great Britain; the number of directors appointed by such companies; and the total salaries paid to colliery directors in 1931 and in 1931, giving separate figures for Lancashire and Cheshire?

Mr. BROWN

The number of separate owners of coal mines in Great Britain was 1,156 in 1931 and 1,142 in 1934. The corresponding figures for Lancashire and Cheshire were 97 and 87 respectively. I regret that the only information available as to the other part, of the question is that contained in the report of the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry (1925) where it is stated, with reference to fees, that "their amount is negligible—less than ½per ton."

22. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. DAGGAR)

asked the Secretary for Mines the total quantity and percentage of coal cut by machinery in South Wales and Monmouthshire in 1913, and for each year from 1920 to 1934, inclusive?

Mr. BROWN

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

Following is the reply:

Quantity and Percentage of Coal cut by Machinery in South Wales and Monmouthshire.
Year. Quantity of coal cut by machinery. Percentage of Total Output.
Tons.
1913 … … 639,719 1
1920 … … 1,076,530 2
1921* … … 852,620 3
1922 … … 1,818,172 4
1923 … … 2,217,108 4
1924 … … 2,619,948 5
1925 … … 2,566,966 6
1926* … … 1,518,227 7
1927 … … 3,212,184 7
1928 … … 3,318,122 8
1929 … … 4,178,341 9
1930 … … 4,328,714 10
1931 … … 4,355,741 12
1932 … … 4,092,932 12
1933 … … 4,402,169 13
1934 … … 5,235,056 15
*In these years, work at coal mines was reduced by protracted disputes.
23. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. DAGGAR)

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal-cutting machines and conveyors in use in the coal mines of Great Britain for the year 1934?

Mr. BROWN

During the year 1934, 7,406 coal-cutting machines and 5,369 conveyors were in use at mines under the Coal Mines Act in Great Britain.

24. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. DAGGAR)

asked the Secretary for Mines the quantity of coal consumed in Great Britain during the years 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934?

Mr. BROWN

The quantity of coal available for consumption in Great Britain in the year 1930 was 166,580,000 tons, in 1931 155,680,000 tons, in 1932 149,500,000 tons, in 1933 148,370,000 tons, and in 1934 161,470,000 tons.

Mr. THORNE

Has the hon. Gentleman any separate figures of the amount of coal consumed by gas companies and electric generating stations?

Mr. BROWN

I should require notice of that question, and I am not sure that I could give the information in that form.