§ 21. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary for Mines w many coal mines have been closed in Yorkshire during the present year; and how many men were affected?
§ Commodore KINGEleven pits, employing 4,430 persons, have closed down in Yorkshire this year.
§ Mr. LUNNWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman attribute the cause of these pits being closed and these men being thrown out of employment to the five counties scheme of ca' canny on the part of the coalowners of Yorkshire?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; the Midland Counties Scheme has probably kept many pits from closing down which otherwise would have closed down. The cause is due to a decrease in the demand for coal.
§ Mr. LUNNHow is it that more than 4,000 men have been thrown out of work since the adoption of the Five Counties Scheme? Is the hon. and gallant Gentieman not aware that there are 30,000 more unemployed miners at the present time than there were at the beginning of the year in the coal mines of this country?
§ Commodore KINGThe decrease in employment is due to a decrease in the demand for coal.
§ Mr. LAWSONAre we to understand that the hon. and gallant Gentleman considers that the Midland Counties Scheme has been a success?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; nothing must be understood beyond what I have said. I simply state that the scheme has probably saved many pits from closing down.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONIs not the closing down of these pits in Yorkshire due so attempts to carry out the recommendations of the Samuel Commission?