HC Deb 17 June 1948 vol 452 cc645-6
33. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the average age of men engaged in coal mining now compares with the average age in 1938.

Mr. Gaitskell

The average age of wage-earners on colliery books in 1947 was 39.0 years as compared with 36.3 years in 1937. A figure for 1938 is not available.

OUTPUT OF SALEABLE COAL PER MANSHIFT WORKED OVERALL.
District. 13 weeks ended* 27th March, 1948. 13 weeks ended* 29th March, 1947. First 3 months of 1939.*
Tons Tons Tons
Northumberland … … … … 1.05 1.02 1.15
Cumberland … … … … … 0.73 0.78 0.85
Durham … … … … … 0.92 0.86 1.09
Yorkshire … … … … … 1.20 1.18 1.32
North Derbyshire … … … … 1.51 1.42 1.36
Nottinghamshire … … … … 1.57 1.53 1.60
South Derbyshire … … … … 1.69 1.64 1.28
Leicestershire … … … 1.82 1.80 1.53
Lancashire and Cheshire … … … 0.95 0.90 1.00
North Wales … … … … … 1.00 0.89 1.04
North Staffordshire … … … … 1.34 1.27 1.21
Cannock Chase … … … … 1.05 1.03 1.06
South Staffordshire … … … … 1.03 0.99 1.11
Shropshire … … … … … 1.17 1.13 0.96
Warwickshire … … … … 1.36 1.35 1.36
South Wales and Monmouthshire … … 0.83 0.78 1.01
Forest of Dean … … … … 0.85 0.80 0.98
Bristol … … … … 0.69 0.73 0.79
Somerset … … … …
Scotland … … … … … 1.13 1.06 1.16
Kent … … … … … … 1.04 0.96 1.08
GREAT BRITAIN … … … … 1.10 1.06 1.18
Mr. Hurd

Can the Minister give separately the comparable ages of those working at the coal face?

Mr. Gaitskell

If the hon. Member will put down a Question I will see what I can do.