§ 29. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries were actually producing coal at the end of March last, compared with the number which were so producing at the end of March, 1926?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Mardy Jones) on 15th March. The figures for March would not differ materially from the February figures I gave in that reply.
§ Mr. BATEYThe Minister states that the former answer on 15th March gave the information. In this question I am asking the number of pits producing coal at the end of March. It is difficult to get it if the former answer was given on 15th March.
§ Colonel LANE FOXIn my answer I have told the hon. Member that the February figures that I gave then are not materially changed now.
§ Mr. BATEYWill it be possible for the Minister to tell us just how many pits there were producing coal in March last year?
§ Colonel LANE FOXI think the hon. Member will be able to gather that from my reply.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThis is getting worse, Mr. Speaker.