The essential facts. The policy of subsidy. The temporary and the permanent elements in the problem. The proposals of the Mining Association. Costs and proceeds at end of 1925. The situation in May, 1926. Revision of minimum percentage. Summary of Findings and Recommendations Nationalisation. Ownership of the mineral. Further amalga- mations of existing mines. Combination of industries. 4. Output classes employed and hours of work at various dates 5. Investigation of complaints of inefficiency at collieries.. Comparison of Expenses and Profits of Retail Coal Trading by (a) Coal Merchants, (b) a Co-operative Real Value of Miner's Yearly Output in Great Britain 128 Wages and Hours of Adults in Coal Mining and other Recruitment of Labour in Coal Mines in 1924 Profits of Colliery Working, 1889 to 1925 Consumption, Exports, and Imports of British Coal in the case of Germany, France and Belgium .. 264 30. Losses and Profits by size of Undertakings for 1923 263 Output of Coal per Manshift by size of Mine Numbers of Workers of Various Classes, their Com- parative Output and Working times in 1905 and 1924 266 Winding Times in Different Districts in 1918 and 1925 269 Average Price of Coal at Coke-Ovens in 1913 and 1925 276 Changes in Price of Coal at Coke-Ovens (1925 expressed 36. Average Standard Hewers' Wages for the years 1909 to 1913 compared with June, 1914 .. 37. Rates of Wages in certain other Industries for the years 1909 to 1913 compared with July, 1914 38. Standardised Average Wages per Shift in 1925 42. Costs and Proceeds of Coal Mining Industry by Districts in Quarter ended December, 1925 CHART showing (a) Yearly Output of Coal per Miner in U.S.A.,) ROYAL WARRANT. GEORGE R.I. George the Fifth, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, to Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Sir Herbert Louis Samuel, Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; and Our Trusty and Well-beloved : Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence (commonly called the Honourable Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence), Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, General (retired) of Our Land Forces; Sir William Henry Beveridge, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath; and Kenneth Lee, Esquire: Greeting! Whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to inquire into and report upon the economic position of the Coal Industry and the conditions affecting it and to make any recommendations for the improvement thereof; Now know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorised and appointed, and do by these Presents authorise and appoint you, the said Sir Herbert Louis Samuel (Chairman), Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence (commonly called the Honourable Sir Herbert Alexander Lawrence), Sir William Henry Beveridge and Kenneth Lee to be Our Commissioners for the purposes of the said inquiry: And for the better effecting the purposes of this Our Commission, We do by these Presents give and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; to call for information in writing and also to call for, have access to and examine all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever : And We do by these Presents authorise and empower you, or any one or more of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes aforesaid: And We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, Our said Commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment : And We do further ordain that you, or any three or more of you, have liberty to report your proceedings under this Our Commission from time to time, if you shall judge it expedient so to do: And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as littie delay as possible, report to Us under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any three or more of you, your opinion upon the matter herein submitted for your consideration. Given at Our Court at Balmoral, the fifth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five, in the sixteenth year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE COAL INDUSTRY (1925). W. Joynson-Hicks. ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE COAL INDUSTRY (1925). (Appointed by Royal Warrant dated 5th September 1925.) Terms of Reference. To inquire into and report upon the economic position of the Coal Industry and the conditions affecting it and to make any recommendations for the improvement thereof. Membership of Commission. The Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Louis Samuel, G.B.E. (Chairman). Mr. Kenneth Lee, LL.D. Assessors to the Commission. The Rt. Hon. William Brace. Mr. A. E. Cutforth, F.C.A. Dr. Walcot Gibson, F.R.S. Major H. M. Hudspeth, D.S.O., M.C Dr. C. H. Lander, D.Sc. Secretary. Mr. C. S. Hurst, O.B.E. Assistant Secretary. Mr. F. C. Starling. |