17. Mrs. WARDasked the Secretary for Mines if he will hold an inquiry into the mining operations at Brownhills West, in the Cannock Chase coalfield, which are being pursued to the danger of life and property?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Isaac Foot)I am advised that the 642 to unemployed persons, by the Government and local authorities in Scotland in the financial years 1912–13 and 1930–31, respectively?
§ Mr. SKELTONAs the answer involves a tabular statement, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I regret that information for the year 1930–31 is not yet available. The following table gives the figures for 1912–13 and 1929–30:
§ method of working adopted by the mine-owners is not one to which exception can reasonably be taken, and, in the circumstances, I am afraid that I cannot take any action in the matter.
Mrs. WARDIn view of the present over-production in the coal industry, could the hon. Gentleman make further investigations as to whether it is essential that this kind of mining should go on, and should be allowed to pull down a, whole village, depriving many people of their life's savings?
§ Mr. FOOTThe question of damage that may be caused at the surface is, I understand, one which concerns the Ministry of Health. I have no power to prevent colliery companies from carrying out their work on such lines as they think proper. As the hon. Member will know, this question has been governed by an award that was made in 1870, when power was reserved to carry out mining operations irrespective of what might happen on the surface.
44. Mrs. WARDasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the dangerous condition of certain properties in Brownhills West, due to mining subsidence; and if he will take steps to have the matter investigated?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)My right hon. Friend has caused inquiry to be made into the matter referred to by my hon. Friend. He understands that a number of houses in this locality have suffered damage by mining subsidence, but that there are none which are dangerous within the meaning of the Towns Improvement Clauses Act, 1874, or the Public Health Acts, and further, that there are no houses in so dangerous a state as to be unfit for human habitation as laid down in the Housing Acts.
Mrs. WARDDoes not my hon. Friend consider that a house is dangerous where gas leakages are constantly occurring and where plaster falls from the ceiling when children are in bed?
§ Mr. BROWNIf my hon. Friend has any facts which she desires to bring to the notice of the Minister he will be pleased to consider them, but he has made an inquiry, and the result of the inquiry is the answer which I have given.
§ Mr. BROWNThe Acts are adequate. The question is not as to the Acts, but as to the facts. If my hon. Friend has other facts to throw any light upon the results of our inquiries we shall be glad to receive them from her.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes it mean that houses where there is gas leakage and plaster dropping are fit for human habitation if they are working-class houses?