§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give figures showing the average increase in the cost of a ton of coal since 1913; and how much of this increase is due to royalties, local rates, and wages, respectively?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXThe average pithead cost of producing a ton of coal disposed of commercially in 1913 was about 9s. 4d., and in the first quarter of 1925 about 18s., an increase of 8s. 8d. Of this increase wages accounted for 6s. 1d. Royalties remained practically unchanged. I have no official information about the increase in local rates, which now amount to about 4d. a ton, but it has been estimated to be about 2d.