§ 8. Mr. POTTSasked the Secretary for Mines Whether he is aware that a colliery near Barnsley which has been idle for about two years still has an allocation quota of 80,000 tons per annum; and whether, seeing that the workmen who worked at the colliery reside mainly within the Darton council's area, he will introduce amending legislation to ensure this 80,000 tons remaining within the locality to which it belongs?
§ Mr. FOOTI am aware of the action taken in this case, which is not contrary to the provisions of the Act. I can hold out no hope of amending legislation.
§ Mr. POTTSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor promised in this House to consider amending the Act when he had obtained sufficient evidence whereupon to base his case?
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEBefore the hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether this is not another instance of the dislocation of the mining industry through the Coal Mines Act?
§ Mr. FOOTIn reply to the first supplementary question, I think the reply that I have given as to the possibility of future legislation is in almost identical terms to the reply given by my predecessor.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not the case that the coalowners in Yorkshire have no desire to amend the Act?