§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour what explanation can be offered for the difference between the London Metal Exchange values for lead and the value of ore at the mines and quarries, as shown in Part III. of the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Mines; whether in 1918 14,784 tons of dressed lead ore were mined valued at £273,462 at the mines, and this represented 10,909 tons of lead worth £328,725 at London Metal Exchange values, and 77,798 ozs. of silver worth £15,417; whether the average price of lead was £32 per ton for 1918, but has now advanced to £48, while silver, which was about 4s. an ounce in 1918, is now 7s. 4d.; whether, despite these abnormal profits, employers refuse to give lead miners the Sankey award, and in some places have threatened a reduction, though in many places the men are only earning 9s. a shift; and whether he will publish monthly returns in the Labour Gazette from lead, tin, and zinc mining districts showing the earnings of the workers, as is done in the case of the textile trades?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Sankey Commission heard no evidence from lead, tin and zinc miners, and the award does not apply to them. The wages payable to lead miners are a subject for negotiation between employers and workpeople's organisations. The considerations mentioned in the earlier part of the question would doubtless be put forward in the arguments of the workpeople in any such negotiations. I am complying with the request in the last part of the hon. Member's question.