Mr. C. P. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines, in view of the fact that many coal mines have already closed because of trade depression, and that many of these mines, situated in wet areas, are rapidly becoming flooded and not likely to be re-opened unless pit-drainage schemes are undertaken, whether he will consider the allocation of public funds for this purpose, and so relieve unemployment in the areas affected, and thereby enable these pits to be quickly re-opened when trade conditions are more favourable?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI regret that I have no power to make grants from public funds for this purpose.
Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Consett Iron Company have recently had to close down the Garesfield colliery and other pits; what is the number of persons
1144W
— Great Britain. Germany (Ruhr). France. Belgium. Hours of Labour (below-ground) Maximum 7 hours per shift. 8 hours per shift 48 hours per week 48 hours per week. Wages paid per shift 10s. 8½d. (Dec, 1924). 6s. 9d. (Dec, 1924). 5s. 5d. (July-Sept., 1924). 5s. 5d. (Dec, 1923). Production per Man-shift. 17¾ cwts. (Dec., 1924). 17½ cwts. (Nov., 1924). 11 cwts. (1923). 9 cwts. (Nov., 1924). Pithead price of Coal per Statute (English) ton. 18s. 10½d. (Commercial Proceeds, Dec, 1924). 17s. 4d. (latter end of 1924). Not available. 24s. 8½d. (1923).
§ Colonel LANE-FOXThe information for Great Britain, so far as it is available, is as follows:
thrown out of employment by this action; and what were the circumstances which made it necessary to adopt this course?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI am informed that three pits belonging to this company, at which 934 wage-earners were employed, were closed down on 14th March owing to a dispute about conditions and wages. No particulars have been reported to me.