§ 15. Mr. MAINWARINGasked the Secretary for Mines if he will prepare and issue a return showing the amount of dead rents being paid in each of the several districts comprising the coalmining industry in England, Wales, and Scotland, and in respect of idle mines and/or coal areas not being actively exploited, and the amount of such payments separately for each of the years 1929 to 1933, inclusive; and whether such payments are included in costs of production at the mines where work is carried on?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe information asked for in the first part of the question is not available. With regard to the second part, certain payments of "dead rent" are included in the costs of production in the returns furnished in connection with the wages ascertainments.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGIs the hon. Gentleman prepared to take steps to obtain the information asked for in the first part of the question?
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer is that it could not be obtained without a special inquiry, and I should not feel justified in making such an inquiry.
§ Mr. MAINWARINGWould it be possible to get this information by means of a special inquiry, and will the Department institute such an inquiry?
§ Mr. BROWNOne of the difficulties has been hinted at by the hon. Member. It is the fact that it is very difficult to decide whether we should get a genuine result that stands in the way.