§ 64. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the brickyard and colliery of the West Hunwick Silica and Firebrick Company, Limited, county Durham, is being closed owing to the quota being exhausted; whether he can state the amount of the quota compared with the total normal output; and if he has any information as to whether this company applied to the district committee for an increase of its quota and was refused?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Isaac Foot)The detailed administration of the Durham scheme is in the hands of the executive board, and I am unable to give the hon. Member the statistics for which he asks. The executive board informs me, however, that as recently as last week the standard tonnage of this colliery was increased. I think the hon. Member may take it that there is no ground for the suggestion that the works are about to close because the colliery is short of quota tonnage.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Secretary for Mines aware that the managing director of this company has stated to the press that this colliery is being closed because of the quota; and if that is not true will he take steps to inform the managing director that he should not make such a statement?
§ Mr. FOOTI have seen the newspaper report to which the hon. Member refers, and I can only say that the information I have from the District Executive Board does not correspond with what is stated there.
§ Mr. DICKIEMay we hope to see the Minister of Mines following in the footsteps of the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey) in his rapid conversion to the evils of the quota system?