79. Miss LEEasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Murdstoun pit, near Cleland, and other collieries in Lanarkshire belonging to Messrs. Archibald Russell, Limited, are being closed; and whether he can state if this is due to the operation of the quota system of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, or to the pits in question being worked out or incapable of being economically worked in future?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)The Murdstoun pit was closed down on 22nd February, 1930, on account of water trouble, and three other pits belonging to the same company were closed in April and May, 1930, owing to want of trade. My hon. Friend will notice that all these pits were closed before the Coal Mines Act, 1930, was passed.
Miss LEEDo I understand that this colliery, the closing down of which was the subject of comment in the Scottish 771 Press a few weeks ago, has been closed down all these months, and has there not been a re-opening of some of the Russell collieries?
§ Mr. SHINWELLMy information is that it was closed down. As regards the Murdstoun pit it was closed down in February, 1930, in consequence of water trouble. I understand that other pits belonging to this company have been closed at intervals, but this company has made a regular practice of closing down pits and re-opening them from time to time.