§ 82. Mr. HERRIOTTSasked the Secretary for Mines if he has made further inquiries with regard to the withdrawal of the pumping machinery from the Chilton and Windlestone collieries; and, seeing that valuable seams of coal will be lost in those collieries and also in the Eldon collieries, if he will make an investigation in that area with a view to establishing central pumping machinery, and whether financial assistance will be granted for that purpose?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)I regret that I am not able to add anything to the answers given to my hon. Friend's previous questions on this subject. With regard to the general question of co-operative pumping, and my powers in that direction, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker).
§ Mr. HERRIOTTSAre we to understand that the Secretary for Mines has no power whatever to order the installation of central pumping machinery? Must the initiative always come from the owners?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have power, but only when the owners in the area ask me to exercise it.
§ Mr. HERRIOTTSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, unless he makes some investigation and uses some influence in this matter, the whole of these valuable seams will be lost?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am well aware of the facts, and am concerned about them, but, until the owners take the initiative, I have no power under the Statute to take action.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONWill the hon. Gentleman take this matter up with the royalty owners, who are losing acres of coal?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have taken it up with the coalowners, who are primarily concerned, and they are not prepared to take the initiative.
§ Mr. RICHARDSONThe royalty owners have an interest in it.