9. Mrs. SHAWasked the Secretary for Mines if he has any information regarding the closing, due to flooding, of Bredisholm Colliery, Uddingston; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the spread of flooding in the mines of Lanarkshire?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI am informed that as the result of the closing of mines to the west of Bredisholm Colliery, the water formerly pumped at those mines was expected to come through to the lower seams at Bredisholm. The owners decided that they were not in a position to incur the additional expense of pumping this water, and accordingly in 1933 they abandoned the lower seams and continued to work the Glasgow Upper Seam only. This working is now being discontinued, but I understand that its abandonment is not due in any way to the water problem, but to other economic considerations. With regard to the second part of the question, I am afraid that this problem is too complicated to deal with by way of question and answer, but I shall be very pleased to discuss it fully with the hon. Member if she desires.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANIs not the hon. Member aware that the question of flooding in the mines surrounding this particular area and Glasgow has been a vexed question for a considerable period, and is he in a position to hold an inquiry into the matter to see whether joint action can be taken by the mine owners to remove the stumbling blocks?
§ Mr. MACLEANMany serious ones?