§ 47. Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to introduce legislation during this Parliament to make provision for compensation to owners of property destroyed or damaged in consequence of subsidence of the surface due to mining operations?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)I have been asked to reply. The Committee to which I referred in replying to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Dunnico) on 3rd April has not yet completed its examination of the problems raised by the Report of the Royal Commission on Subsidence. I am therefore not in a position to make any statement in regard to legislation.
§ Mr. JONESIs not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a considerable number of owners of property in all parts of the coalfields are very dissatisfied with this long delay, that the Royal Commission sat for many years, that the Report has been published for some time, and that the country is justified in expecting the Government to legislate? Can I get a definite answer to my question as to whether it is proposed to legislate in this direction during the present Parliament?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; as I stated, I can make no statement with regard to legislation.
§ Mr. JONESWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman expedite the completion of the inquiry in time for legislation to be introduced in this Parliament?
§ Commodore KINGI hope that the inquiry will be completed in a month or so.