ABSTRACT
Between the end of 1924 and the end of 1925 unemployment among members of trade unions making returns rose from 9.2 to 11 per cent.1 Heavy industry suffered more than other occupations. Unemployment amongst coal-miners rose from 5.7 per cent in 1924 to 15.8 per cent in 1925.2 Coal output fell from 276 million tons in 1923 to 243 millions in 1925,3 and many inefficient collieries had to close. Contrary to the assertions of the coal-owners, Britain slightly increased her share of the total world export trade in coal (with 51.2 per cent in 1924 against 49.8 per cent in 1913) but in absolute terms our coal exports fell from an average of 88.37 million tons in the years 1909-13 to 68.97 million tons in 1925.4 Coal was feeling the effects of competition from oil, lignite and hydro-electricity, in addition to which coal-burning equipment was becoming steadily more efficient.
