Statistics
22.
asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of coal produced in Great Britain in 1929, and the figures showing separately its distribution among the various classes of consumers, including industrial undertakings, gas companies, householders, and the export trade?
With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT such information as is at present available as to the production and consumption of coal in Great Britain during 1929.
Following is the information:
| 1929. | Million Tons. |
| Output of Coal in Great Britain | 257.9 |
| Quantity Shipped Abroad: | |
| Exports of coal … | 60.2 |
| Exports of coke and manufactured fuel (coal equivalent) Coal shipped for the use of steamers engaged in the foreign trade … | 16.4 |
| Shipments to Northern Ireland … | 2.4 |
| Total quantity of coal shipped abroad and to Northern Ireland … | 84.4 |
| Quantity of coal available for home consumption for all purposes … | 173.5 |
Particulars of the quantity of coal consumed at gas works during 1929 are not yet available, but in both 1927 and 1928 the figure was just under 17 million tons (exclusive of the coal-equivalent of gas-coke exported).
The estimated quantity of coal consumed for domestic purposes, including miners' coal, is approximately 40 million tons per annum.
The remaining quantity of coal available for home consumption was used for general manufactures and all other purposes including the production of electricity, iron and steel, for colliery engines, by railways and for coastwise transport.
Women Employès
77.
asked the Secretary for Mines the number of women employed at the pithead, coalmines, in this country in 1911, 1921, and 1929, respectively?
The total number of women and girls employed at coalmines in Great Britain in 1911 was 6,210; in 1921, 6,084; and in 1929 approximately 4,070. Of the number in 1929, 765 were clerks. Separate figures of clerks for the earlier years are not available.
Can the hon. Member say what the rest of the women will do, what kind of work they will do?
Horses And Ponies (Casualties)
79.
asked the Secretary for Mines how many horses and ponies have been killed and injured in the coal mines of Great Britain for the years 1920 to 1929, inclusive?
For the period up to the end of 1928 I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 16th July last to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor, of which I am sending him a copy. For the year ended 30th June, 1929, the number killed or destroyed in consequence of injury or accident was 1,840, and in consequence of disease or old age 1,519. The number injured was 5,674.
Machine Coal-Cutting, Lancashire
81.
asked the Secretary for Mines what proportion of coal was cut by machinery in Lancashire in 1913 and in 1928, respectively?
Of the total quantity of coal raised in Lancashire in 1913, 8 per cent. was cut by machinery, and in 1928 the proportion was 20 per cent.