41. Mrs. SHAWasked the Secretary for Mines how many collieries in Lanarkshire have been abandoned on account of flooding; and what steps he is taking to prevent the danger of this flooding spreading to other collieries and thereby causing more unemployment in the coal industry?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Isaac Foot)No mines in Lanarkshire have been abandoned recently on account of flooding, but since the latter part of 1930, 10 small pits in that district have been abandoned either through financial failure or high pumping costs. Any 649 arrangement for co-operative pumping by other pits which may be affected is primarily a matter for the colliery owners concerned, but I shall be pleased to give them any assistance in my power in framing a joint pumping scheme if they decide to take this step.
§ Mr. TINKERWhen a mine has to be closed down, does the inspector make an inquiry to see if there is any probable danger to the mines adjoining through water that they will have to pump out themselves?
§ 65. Mr. LAWSONasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that certain abandoned collieries in the Durham coalfield are flooded; whether he is aware that this is causing grave concern to miners working in the adjoining collieries owing to the danger of flooding; and whether he will take steps to deal with this matter and thus allay the prevailing anxiety?
§ Mr. FOOTThe situation is being closely watched, and inspections and inquiries are continually being made by His Majesty's inspectors at mines in and around the waterlogged areas. I am not aware at present of danger from any sudden inrush into seams or mines at present being worked, but if the workmen in any mine feel anxious as to their safety, representations through their organisations to His Majesty's divisional inspector of mines will be most carefully considered and dealt with.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas the hon. Gentle-man received any report upon this matter, because the men themselves have passed resolutions about it, and it is causing considerable trouble in. the pits?
§ Mr. FOOTI have made careful inquiry. No representation on the subject of the Question, which is in regard to the safety of men working underground, has been made. The economic question is a different matter, and if the hon. Gentleman would like to question me about it, perhaps he will put a question down.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the hon. Gentleman taking into consideration large-scale pumping operations as a possibility in areas such as this?
§ Mr. FOOTI would rather a question be put down if it has to do with the economic issue, because that raises a different matter from the issue of safety, which is rather a larger question.
§ Mr. LAWSONIt is a question of safety.