§ 18. Mr. HALLASasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in the 578 South Staffordshire coalfield, which extends over an area of 65 square miles, the mines are becoming waterlogged for want of adequate pumping services; that there is the gravest danger of 40,000,000 tons of coal and ironstone being utterly lost; and what steps it is proposed to take to deal with the difficulty?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The Treasury have granted an amount, £2,000, for the purpose of keeping the pumping operations in the Old Hill district going for one year from the 1st April next, pending some agreement among the owners for the proper financing of the operations. A Grant of £3,000 for the installation of an additional pump in the Tipton area was authorised in December last, and it is expected that this pump will come into operation shortly.