§ 66. Mr. D. GRAHAMasked the Secretary for Mines the names of the collieries likely to be affected by the growth of water consequent upon the abandonment of the Mount Vernon collieries; the number of men likely to be affected by their stoppage; and the amount of workable coal lost to the nation in the event of the owners affected failing to agree to adopt a joint pumping scheme for de-watering the area?
§ Mr. E. BROWNA number of pits may eventually be affected by the abandonment of the Mount Vernon collieries, but the question of whether, and after what period of time, each of these collieries may feel the effect of the additional water to an extent which renders them uneconomic depends on so many incalculable factors that I am not prepared to make any estimate of the figures asked for by the hon. Gentleman. I should add that there is no reason to suppose that there is any danger to the men working in the pits in the district.
§ 67. Mr. GRAHAMasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been drawn to the statement contained in the report of the Divisional Inspector of
§ undertakings and collieries within the district, but they serve no other purpose than to establish a basis for the proportionate allocation of permitted output within the district. The aggregates of the standard tonnages of all the collieries in Scotland quarter by quarter are shown in the following table, together with the allocations made to, and the actual output of, the district, since the coming into operation of the Act.
§ Mines for Scotland for 1931 regarding the abandonment of the Mount Vernon group of collieries and the effect their abandonment is likely to have on the collieries adjacent to them unless some arrangement for a joint pumping scheme be adopted by the owners of those collieries; and whether his Department has taken or proposes to take any action in tile matter?
§ Mr. BROWNI am aware of the position in this district, and if the colliery owners affected, or a majority of them, are willing to prepare a scheme for joint pumping arrangements my Department will give them every assistance. I am afraid, however, that in practice I am unable to make and give effect to such a scheme unless a definite majority of the colliery owners are in favour of it.
§ Mr. GRAHAMWill the hon. Member consult the report of the divisional inspector and see how it compares with the answer that he has given to Question 66?
§ Mr. BROWNI have seen the report and I find no inconsistency. I would point out that in theory we could make a scheme under Section 18 of the Act of 1920, but as a substantial minority of the coalowners affected could take us to arbi- 1983 tration on the terms of the scheme, it is impossible to proceed without a majority of such owners behind us. In this case all the owners think that they can deal with the water that comes to them.