§ 59. Mr. GORDON MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal mines being worked in Lancashire and Cheshire on 31st March, 1931, and 31st March, 1935, respectively, and the numbers employed at the said mines?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have been asked to reply. At 31st March, 1931, the number of pits in Lancashire and Cheshire producing coal was 205, and the number of wage-earners on colliery books was 71,800. The corresponding figures for 31st March, 1935, were 178 and 60,800.
§ 60. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the total wages paid in the mining industry in Lancashire and Cheshire in the quarter ended 31st March, 1931, and in the quarter ended 31st March, 1935, respectively?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEDuring the quarters ended 31st March, 1931, and 1935, the estimated total amount paid in wages in the coal mining industry in Lancashire and Cheshire was £2,072,000 and £1,800,000, respectively.
§ 61. Mr. MACDONALDasked the Secretary for Mines the total output of coal in Lancashire and Cheshire in the quarter ended 31st March, 1931, and in the quarter ended 31st March, 1935, respectively?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe output of saleable coal in Lancashire and Cheshire during the quarters ended 31st March, 1931 and 1935, was 3,944,000 tons and 3,797,000 tons, respectively.