§ Mr. J. GUESTasked the Secretary for Mines on what basis the average output of coal per shift worked as calculated by his department is computed; whether it is an average based on the number of men engaged at the coal face as coal miners or does it include all persons working down the mine; whether workers on the surface are included; if so, what class or section of surface worker; and whether the shopmen, mechanics, and office staff are included?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXThe calculation is based upon the tonnage of saleable coal raised and the number of man-shifts worked above and below ground (including week-end and overtime shifts) by all workers to whom the National Wages Agreement applies. These include shopmen and mechanics, but not clerks
§ Mr. GUESTalso asked the Secretary for Mines the total number of persons employed in or about the mines who are included for the purpose of calculating the average output per man per shift, and also give the numbers in separate grades as follows: persons employed as miners at the coal face, persons employed down the mines other than miners employed at the coal face, and persons employed on the surface: and if he will state the average output per man per shift, including only miners engaged at the coal face?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXThe total was 1,074,079 in the first quarter of 1925. I regret that I cannot give figures for the number of persons employed in the separate grades; but nearly 40 per cent. of the man-shifts worked during that period were at the coal face, and the average output per man-shift at the face was 45⅓ cwts.