HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 cc398-9W
MR. HASLAM

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the estimated average cost per ton of coal at the pit's mouth, the amount paid in wages per ton, and the amount per ton allotted among owners'?

Sir A. GEDDES

Estimates of cost of production as affected by the recent increase of output are at present being prepared in connection with proposals for n revision of coal prices, but at the present moment I am not in a position to give any further figures than are contained in the statements I have already made in the House. With regard to the last part of the question, as I have already stated a Bill is to be introduced at an early date limiting the total profits of the coal owners to an amount equal to 1s. 2d. per ton of coal raised.

Mr. G. MURRAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the case that in practice coal-miners receive above their usual ton rate a remuneration of 5s. per day (composed of 3s. war wage and 2s. Sankey wage) for every day they present themselves at the works, whether there is work for them or not; whether this uneconomic way of paying wages is an inducement to the miner to reduce his output of coal; and whether it is possible to alter this practice so that the 5s. a day shall be put on the ton rate and shall not be paid irrespective of the output of the miner?

Sir A. GEDDES

The additional remuneration referred to is 3s., not 5s., the Sankey wage being payable only in respect of shifts worked or regarded as having been worked in calculating the miner's

STATEMENT showing for the County of Lanark the number of pits effected by breakages of machinery and other accidents, the approximate number of workpeople affected, and the time lost in consequence thereof.
Period of 4 weeks ended Number of pits affected. Average number of days lost during the period at the pits affected. Approximate number of workers at the pits. Percentage of total number on colliery books in the county.
Days. Per cent.
1st February 1919 … … 14 0.96 1,864 3.3
1st March " … … 23 3.10 5,101 9.0
29th March " … … 20 3.56 6,586 11.7
26th April " … … 13 5.60 4,428 7.7
24th May " … … 14 5.74 3,774 6.5
21st June " … … 19 2.10 4,662 8.0
19th July " … … 12 0.99 3,625 6.2
16th August " … … 12 2.31 4,101 7.3
13th September " … … 15 1.31 4,698 8.3
llth October " … … 12 1.25 2,481 4.3