§ Mr. Robson Brownasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the output per man-year for coalface workers in the years 1946 to 1954; what has been the total cost of all mining developments and of new machinery introduced during the same period; and what has been the approximate estimated improved coal output from this expenditure year by year.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydThe output of coalface workers per man-year has changed as follows:
34W
Tons 1946 … … … … 647 1947 … … … … 650 1948 … … … … 675 1949 … … … … 684 1950 … … … … 708 1951 … … … … 738 1952 … … … … 730 1953 … … … … 708 1953* … … … … 726 1954 … … … … 737 * The definition of face workers was changed at the beginning of 1954. 708 tons is the figure for 1953 on the old and 726 on the new basis. The second week's paid holiday was introduced in 1953; in 1953 there were also Coronation holidays. Total capital expenditure on mining development and machinery at collieries over the years 1947–1954 was £265 million. It is not possible to isolate the exact effects of this expenditure, much of which was required for replacement, from the results of the other factors affecting output, but there is no doubt that without it output would have fallen rapidly.