2 JULY 1921, Page 11

The Prime Minister described the scheme as a great and

promising experiment. If it were worked in the right spirit, it would restore the industry, inasmuch as every man would have a direct interest in increasing the output and the profit. He reminded the House that the labour cost of production per ton had risen from 6s. Ild. in 1914 to 27s. 9d. last March, and that unless the cost of production could be reduced considerably not only the mining industry, but also the other industrial dependent on coal were faced with disaster. He assured the Rouse that the State subsidy could not and should not be taken as a precedent, as it was devised to meet wholly exceptional difficulties. After some discussion, it was agreed that the House would vote the grant on Friday and discuss it next week.