§ Mr. Ness Edwardsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the figures showing the tonnage of open cast coal worked each year from 31st March, 1941, to March, 1944, the cost per ton and the proceeds per ton.
Major Lloyd GeorgeVery little open cast coal was recovered before March, 1942. The cumulative figure from the commencement of operations until 31st March, 1943, was 1,807,000 tons and the amount recovered in the year ending 31st March, 1944, was 5,340,000 tons. The selling price is fixed having regard to the price of comparable qualities of deep-mined coal and the price per ton therefore varies. It is not possible at present to state the overall cost per ton.