§ Mr. BARR(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether it has been brought to his notice that the North Motherwell Colliery, known as the New Logans, is to be closed down to-morrow, 7th July, owing to a new scheme whereby this mine will be worked jointly with Motherwell No. 4 Pit, owned by John Watsons, Limited, whether he has knowledge that the superior of that part of the mine that pays him wayleaves has terminated the lease; whether it is not the case that 200 men or thereby will immediately be thrown out of work, and possibly out of their homes; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand that the pit referred to is to be closed down and abandoned. I am informed that the colliery is an old one; is approaching exhaustion, that the company owning it has gone into liquidation and that the owners of the neighbouring pit will work out the remaining coal as soon as the seams can be reached.
§ Mr. BARRIs it not the case that it will take something like a year to prepare for the linking up of these two pits, and cannot the Secretary of Mines use his influence in the meantime to secure that the miners in the North Motherwell colliery shall be continued in 1723 work until the new scheme comes into operation?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe hon. Member knows what my disposition would be in the matter, but I have no jurisdiction.