§ Captain BAGLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give comparative particulars of the coal industry in 1913 and 1920 showing the quantity and total pit-head value of disposable coal produced; and totals paid respectively for wages, profits, royalties, salaries, and other expenses, with percentage increase or decrease, the 1920 figures to be based on the latest available returns?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe latest statistical information available giving the details to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is that, published in the two quarterly summaries which have been issued under the Coal Mines (Emergency) Act, 1920. No similar statistics exist for the first six months of 1913, but from certain information placed before the Coal Industry Commission relating to the year 1913, the particulars given below have been calculated on a six-monthly basis in order to facilitate a comparison. 733W
About £11,400,000 of the 1920 profits is estimated to be required to meet the profits (after deduction of Excess Profits Duty) which enure to the colliery owners under the Coal Mines (Emergency) Act, 1920.
— Amount 1913 (six-monthly basis). Amount 1920 (First six months). Percentage Increase (+) or Decrease (-) as compared with 1913. Tons. Tons. Per cent. Quantity of disposable coal produced … … 132,000,000 108,000,000 - 18 £ £ Pithead value (including proceeds of miners' coal) 73,000,000 192,700,000 + 164 Wages … … … … … … 45,500,000 129,800,000 + 185 Royalties … … … … … … 3,000,000 3,400,000 + 13 Salaries and other expenses … … … 13,000,000 37,200,000 + 186 Adjustments in respect of variation of capital since the pre-war period. Nil. 2,000,000 — Profits … … … … … … 11,000,000 20,300,000 + 85