§ Mr. R. J. Taylorasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the number of active burning pit-heaps in Northumberland and the number extinguished during the past 12 months?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have been informed by the Ministry of Health, whose inspectors visit these heaps, that there are at present 14 pit-heaps in the county of Northumberland which are burning; actively and six which are smouldering. During the past year three heaps have been extinguished and four other heaps have been reduced from active burning to smouldering and on these heaps there is now no open flame. Since the outbreak of war efforts to quench the flames on pit-heaps have been intensified with a view to securing further improvement as early as possible.