§ 90. Mr. T. Brownasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of opencast mining sites that have been closed for production due to the heavy falls of snow, and the loss of production, expressed in terms of tons, in consequence of the bad weather.
§ Mr. ShinwellFifty-five opencast sites were closed for varying periods because of the site conditions or the blockage of the public highways serving the sites. The resulting loss in coal production is estimated to have been about 113,000 tons during the four weeks ending 15th February.
§ 91. Mr. T. Brownasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of opencast mining sites which are now held up from the production of coal due to the lack of the necessary machines to produce coal; and what steps he is taking to procure the machines.
§ Mr. ShinwellThere are eight opencast sites which could be worked in the near future if plant were available. Additional machines are being obtained from British production, from Service surplus and from America.
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§ 93. Mr. T. Brownasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of men employed in opencast mining, contractors, sub-contractors, and other classes of workmen employed; what is the output per man shift worked, and the cost per ton.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe total number of men employed in opencast coal production including contractors' and directly employed labour averaged about 10,100 during 1946. Figures for output per man shift are not available, but the output per man week for all wage earners averaged 16.3 tons during 1946. As regards the cost of production I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for the City of London (Mr. Assheton) on 14th February.