§ 61. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether, during the last three months when Boldon colliery, County Durham, was closed, any part of the quota allocated has been sold and, if so, how many tons; and what amount per ton was received?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThis information is not available to my Department. I would point out to the hon. Member that Boldon Colliery forms part of the undertaking owned by the Harton Coal Company, and the quota is allocated to that undertaking as a whole, and not in respect of the individual collieries that comprise the undertaking.
§ Mr. BATEYCould not the Minister obtain information as to whether any part of the quota has been sold during the last three months, in view of the stoppage of this colliery, where 1,861 men were employed?
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer to that question is that Section 8 of the Act of 1930, which was passed by a Labour Government, precludes the publication of information regarding a particular undertaking. I can only do that by getting the owners' consent.
§ 64. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Boldon colliery, County Durham, was closed down by the owners three months ago; that it is estimated that about 7,000 people are dependent on this colliery, about 2,000 being children; that, in view of Durham being classed as a distressed area, there is need for as much employment being provided as possible; and will he therefore include among the measures to be taken for the relief of this distressed area such steps as will lead to the immediate reopening of this colliery?
§ Mr. BROWNThe answer to the first three parts of the question is "Yes" in each case. With regard to the last part, I do not understand what measures the hon. Member thinks that I could take. I am informed that this mine would be restarted forthwith if agreement could be reached between the management and the workmen on certain matters at present in dispute.
§ Mr. BATEYThen may I put a supplementary question to the Prime Minister, because the question was put down to the Prime Minister and transferred to the Minister of Mines?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Hall-Caine.