HC Deb 09 November 1943 vol 393 cc1061-2
17. Flight-Lieutenant Raikes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the average number of shifts worked per person per week in coalmines during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1943, compares with those worked in the corresponding period of 1942 in the country as a whole and in each district, making a due adjustment for the greater number of holidays in 1943?

Major Lloyd George

The average number of shifts worked per wage-earner per week, after adjustment for holidays, for coal mines in Great Britain as a whole, was 5½35 in the first nine months of 1943 and 5½51 in the corresponding period of 1942. I am having the other information extracted and will send the figures to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as they are available.

18. Flight-Lieutenant Raikes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many shifts per person per week were worked in the coal industry in each of the three quarterly periods January to March, April to June and July to September, 1943; and how these compare with the numbers worked in the corresponding periods of 1942?

Major Lloyd George

The average number of shifts worked per wage-earner per week in the coalmining industry during each of the first three quarters of the year 1943 was 5½26, 5½11 and 4½97 respectively. During the corresponding quarters of 1942 the figures were 5½42, 5½30 and 5½24.

19. Flight-Lieutenant Raikes

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average output of coal per manshift worked at the coal face in each month since June, 1941?

Major Lloyd George

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Average coal output per manshift worked at the coal face.
1941—
July … … … 2.95
August … … …
September … … …
October … … … 2.95
November … … …
December … … …
1942—
January … … … 2.88
February … … …
March … … …
April … … … 2.85
May … … …
June … … …
July … … … 2.88
August … … … 2.68
September … … … 2.88
October … … … 2.91
November … … … 2.92
December … … … 2.88
1943—
January … … … 2.88
February …… … 2.88
March … … … 2.89
April … … … 2.85
May … … … 2.85
June … … … 2.82
July … … … 2.82
August … … … 2.76
September … … … 2.82
October … … … 2.83

Since comparable monthly figures are not available for the period prior to July, 1942, quarterly figures are given for that period.