§ 30. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will state the figures showing the number of mines which have been closed as a result of liquidation since 1920, with the number in which arrears of miners' welfare levy had not been reclaimable?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI am unable to give the number of mines concerned. The number of undertakings which have been wound up since the inception of the fund to 28th February, 1934, and from which arrears of welfare levy have been irrecoverable, is 785. In addition, 79 undertakings are in course of being wound up, and the amount due is likely to be wholly or mainly irrecoverable.
§ Mr. GRENFELLDo not the figures clearly indicate that the so-called bad debts of the levy arise from the liquidation of very small mines?
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs it not clear that the percentage of arrears is very small?