§ 29. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is able to obtain the amount paid in rates by the Navigation Colliery of Mountain Ash, the Powell Duffryn Collieries in the Aberdare District, and the Cwmaman Coal Company's Collieries in the Cwmaman District which have been closed down during the six months preceding the closing of the collieries; and the amount of rates for which they are liable while closed down as at present?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. With regard to the last part, I understand that the amount of rates payable by these collieries is mainly determined by the tonnage produced. Comparatively little, therefore, is payable in respect of a period during which they are closed down.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIn view of the fact that they are now paying no rates and were paying rates while the pits were open, will the right hon. Gentleman sug- 256 gest a change in the law to compel the owners of these pits to pay their rates whether the pits are open or not?
§ 32. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary for Mines how many mines in each of the districts for which a separate wages ascertainment is prepared have been closed in the last 12 months because they could no longer be carried on under economic conditions?
§ Colonel LANE FOXWith the hon. Member's permission, I will publish the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the figures:
| NUMBER of PITS closed for economic reasons during the last 12 months and not re-opened, and the number of wage-earners employed thereat. | ||
| District. | Pits closed and not re-opened. | Number of wage-earners employed thereat. |
| Scotland | 44 | 4,003 |
| Northumberland | 10 | 1,640 |
| Durham | 41 | 8,244 |
| South Wales and Monmouth. | 98 | 21,401 |
| Yorkshire | 27 | 3,412 |
| North Derbyshire | 5 | 26 |
| Nottinghamshire | — | — |
| South Derbyshire | — | — |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 13 |
| Cannock Chase | 3 | 1,018 |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 5 |
| Lancashire and Cheshire | 16 | 2,028 |
| North Staffordshire | 2 | 463 |
| North Wales | 5 | 139 |
| South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire. | 12 | 219 |
| Shropshire | 5 | 31 |
| Cumberland and Westmorland. | 4 | 234 |
| Bristol | — | — |
| Forest of Dean | 11 | 100 |
| Somerset | 1 | 41 |
| Kent | — | — |
| Great Britain | 286 | 43,017 |