§ Brigadier Lowasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an explanation of the drop in average weekly output of coal as between 3, 467, 000 tons in September, 1945, and 3, 622, 000 tons in September, 1944.
§ Mr. ShinwellThis decline in output is mainly attributable to increased absenteeism from various causes and to a fall in the manpower available in the industry.
§ Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the production of coal in each of the months January to April during the year 1945, shown as weekly averages for four or five week periods.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe particulars asked for are as follow
2035W
Average Weekly Output of Saleable Coal in Great Britain (Thousand Tons) Period Output January, 1945 3, 385.4 February, 1945 3, 577.7 March, 1945* 3, 529.0 April, 1945 3, 413.7 * Average of 5 weeks.
§ Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the production of coal in each of the months March to August during the years, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, respec-
Average Weekly Output of Saleable Coal in Great Britain. (Thousand Tons.) Period 1938. 1939. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. I944. March* … 4, 806.2 4, 755.8 4, 380.5 4, 016.2 3, 955.0 3, 965.8 3, 508.4 April … … 4, 130.1 4, 318.3 4, 865.4 3, 782.4 3, 856.0 3, 576.9 3, 337.6 May … … 4, 38l.1 4, 636.0 4, 640.6 4, 068.5 3, 766.5 3, 936.6 3, 771.6 June* … … 3, 937.7 4, 174.3 4, 801.3 3, 947.9 3, 971.2 3, 858.6 3, 538.5 July … … 3, 919.0 4, 202.9 4, 399.8 3, 980.2 3, 847.1 3, 634.8 3, 447.3 August … 3, 674.6 3, 765.8 4, 133.8 3, 622.6 3, 410.3 3, 165.7 2, 944.2 * Average of 5 weeks.