§ Mr. GREAVES-LORDasked the Secretary for Mines what was the estimated avoidable loss of output of coal during the month of January due to the fact that in the districts of Durham, Northumberland, and South Wales absenteeism amounted to 7.85 per cent., 7.51 per cent. and 7.05 per cent., respectively, of the possible number of man shifts, and in view of the statement by Sir R. A. S. Redmayne, late His Majesty's Inspector of Mines, that the average normal absenteeism due to unavoidable causes should not exceed 5 per cent. of the possible number of man shifts?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXWhatever may be the average normal absenteeism due to unavoidable causes, it is, of course, quite impossible to say what amount of absenteeism was unavoidable in these particular coalfields during this particular2614W month. If, however, the assumption be made that all absenteeism in excess of 5 per cent. was avoidable, the loss from this cause may be estimated at about 243,000 tons as compared with a total output of 9,387,400 tons.