§ 21. Mr. Norman Bowerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how his estimate of 87,000,000 tons production for the six months November, 1945, to April, 1946, is arrived at.
§ Mr. ShinwellThis estimate was made last March as part of the budget for the current coal year. It was based upon what were then considered to be the most 209 reasonable assumptions regarding the manpower likely to be available and the output per man likely to be secured.
§ Mr. BowerArc we to take it that, with the extra 8,000,000 tons, the Minister anticipates that the total production will be 95,000,000 tons during the period in question?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Gentleman's assumptions are not far out.
§ Mr. ButcherCould the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Health so that we may have a similar production target for housing?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Gentleman knows only too well that if he addresses a similar question to the Minister of Health he will get an appropriate reply.
§ 22. Major P. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average output of coal per manshift in the month of September, 1945; and the average of the output of coal per manshift in the month of September, 1944, in the coal industry.
§ Mr. ShinwellDuring the whole of September, 1945; the output per manshift over-all was 20cwt. 9lb., and for September, 1944, the figure was 20cwt. 13lb.
§ Major RobertsIs the Minister aware of the consternation in the mining world over the slip that he made last week which amounted to 36,000,000lbs. this winter—(Laughter.) I mean, of course, tons. (Laughter.) I do not think that the difference between pounds and tons is so funny. (Laughter.) It is a natural mistake to make, and I ask the pardon of the House. The point I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and gallant Member must ask a question and not make points.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe consternation to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers is purely imaginary and only resides in the minds of those who are seeking to cause mischief.
§ Mr. StephenWill the Minister afford an opportunity to the hon. and gallant Gentleman who asked this Question to go down a pit and work there for a bit?
§ Mr. ShinwellWith the greatest pleasure, Sir.
§ 23. Major P. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures showing the comparison of coal output for the coal year 1943–44, and the average number of men engaged per month for that year, with the estimated coal output, including the extra 8,000,000 tons, for the coal year 1945–46, and the average number of men engaged per month in the five months ended October, 1945.
§ Mr. ShinwellOutput in the coal year 1943–44 was 189,000,000 tons and the average number of men on colliery books in that year was 705,000. The target output for the coal year 1945–46 is 179,000,000 tons; the average number of men on colliery books on the five months ended October, 1945, was 706,200. The number of men in the industry at present is 697,300.
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonIn view of the drop in output per manshift, does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that he will still get his target of 179,000,000 tons?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe output per manshift is going up.
§ Mr. HudsonBut the right hon. Gentle man has just given us figures—
§ Mr. SpeakerMany of these questions asking for information are apparently put down for the purpose of asking supplementary questions which do not aim at securing information.
§ 25. Major John Whiteasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, the average number of mineworkers during the coal years 1941 and 1944; and the corresponding figures of output.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe average number of men on colliery books in the coal years 1941–1942 and 1944–1945 was 702,000 and 714,300 respectively. Corresponding figures of output were 206,100,000 tons and 182,400,000 tons.