§ 27. Mr. J. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tinplate mills operating in South Wales and the number of persons employed; and also the quantity of tinplate manufactured and exported in each year from 1928 to 1935, respectively?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
The number of tinplate mills in operation in Wales and Monmouthshire at those works in respect of which returns were made to the Ministry of Labour for the week ended 23rd May, 1036, was 298; the estimated number of insured workers (aged 16–64) in the industry in that area at July, 1935 (the latest date for which the information is available) was 25,720; the number recorded as unemployed at May, 1936, was 8,119.
The following statement shows the production of tinned plates and sheets in the United Kingdom in 1930, 1933 and 1934 and the exports in each year from 1928 to 1935.
| Year. | Production (a). | Exports. |
| Tons. | Tons. | |
| 1928 … … | — | 524,900 |
| 1929 … … | — | 568,800 |
| 1930 … … | 710,300 | 498,200 |
| 1931 … … | — | 394,400 |
| 1932 … … | — | 456,400 |
| 1933 … … | 669,500 | 448,400 |
| 1934 … … | 627,900 | 381,800 |
| 1935 … … | — | 339,500 |
§ (a) According to information furnished in connection with the Census of Production, 1930, and the Import Duties Act Inquiries, 1933 and 1934. Comparable particulars for the other years specified are not available.