§ 14. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary for Mines what was the total amount received during the year ending 31st March, 1927, from the mineral rights duty levied by Section 14 of the Mining Industry Act, 1926; how many schemes have been approved since 1st January, 1926, for the provision of washing and drying accommodation at coal mines; at what collieries are they to be established; and what are the number of similar schemes under consideration by the Miners' Welfare Committee?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer is somewhat long, and perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The total amount received during the year ended 31st March, 1927, from the Royalties Welfare Levy was £157,000.
§ The policy of the Miners' Welfare Committee for the erection of pithead baths is fully explained in their Fifth Annual Report. Shortly, it is to begin by drawing up, with the assistance of the district committees, a co-ordinated and comprehensive programme for determining the relative urgency of the need for baths at the different collieries in each district, and, in the meantime, to erect four demonstration installations in different parts of the country. Three of these schemes have been approved, namely, at Pooley Hall Colliery in Warwickshire, the Ocean Collieries Park Pit in South Wales, and the Mainsforth Colliery in Durham. The fourth is to be in Scotland, at a colliery still to be determined. Consideration of other schemes will follow as soon as the full programme of development is completed.