18. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of coal pits which, owing to the damage done to them during the coal dispute, will either be permanently closed or shut down until such time as the necessary repair works can be carried out; what is the number of men ordinarily employed at or in connection with the pits that have been damaged; and whether these men will be entitled to receive unemployment benefit when the dispute is over?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am afraid it is quite impossible to make any estimate of the extent of the damage done to mines by the stoppage or of the number of mines damaged. In many mines no one has been below ground since 31st March, and the present condition of the workings and roadways is quite unknown. With reference to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to the hon. and gallant Member for Clackmannan and Eastern on the 8th June.
Sir F. HALLAre we to understand, in reply to the last part of the question, that none of these people are going to get Out-of-Work Donation or Unemployment Benefit?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have answered that by referring the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer of 8th June.
Mr. J. JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the allegations in this question are from Sinn Fein sources?