§ Mr. Stephenasked the Secretary for Mines how many coal-pits were closed each for the last three years; and how many pits it has been arranged to reopen since the beginning of the war in order to increase the coal production of the country?
§ Mr. LloydIn reply to the first part of the question the following is the information asked for:
1777W
— Period. Pits. Wage-earners on Colliery Books. Number of Pits which have closed and not re-opened during the years 1937, 1938 and during specified periods in 1939, with the number of wage-earners employed at date of closing. 1937 35 3,276 1938 65 6,176 1939 to 3rd September 46 7,066 1939 between 3rd September and 21st October. 23 2,180 Number of Pits which were closed on 1st January, 1937, re-opened before 3rd September, 1939, and are still at work with the number of wage-earners employed at 21st October, 1939. 1st January, 1937 to 3rd September, 1939. 46 14,455 Number of new Pits opened between 1st January, 1937, and 3rd September, 1939, with the number of wage-earners employed at 21st October, 1939. 1st January, to 3rd September, 1939. 91 3,401 Number of Pits opened or re-opened since 3rd September, 1939, with the number of wage-earners employed at 21st October, 1939. 3rd September, 1939 to 21st October, 1939. 20 2,739 NOTE.—All the above particulars relate to Pits employing 10 or more wage earners. In answer to the second part—20 pits employing 2,739 wage-earners have been opened or reopened since the outbreak of war.