4. Mr. WILLIAM ALLENasked the Secretary for Mines whether it has been brought to his notice that serious injury is being caused to owners of house property and building societies who have advanced money on mortgage of such property, and local authorities engaged on building schemes, by subsidence caused by mining operations; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I am aware that damage has been caused to house property in certain localities by mining subsidence, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the Royal Commission which investigated this problem held the view that, except in the case of a very limited class of small private dwelling house, "owners should" (I am quoting from the commission's report) "themselves be left to bear the results of subsidence consciously faced and largely capable of being guarded against." With regard to the last part of the question, I do not know of any action that can be taken, short of legislation, and I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope of that at present.
Mr. ALLENIs my hon. friend aware that in the Potteries district a great deal of damage has been done to small dwelling-houses which come within the ambit of those described by the Commission?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the Royal Commission reported on this subject recently and were unanimously in favour of certain legislation which would meet the case, and may I ask whether there is no possibility of the Government introducing such legislation?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman also tell the House exactly what a person can do to guard against the subsidence of his house?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the hon. Gentleman answer my question?