§ 4. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that, owing to the improved methods of cleaning coal 160 large quantities of unsaleable material are left in and about colliery premises; and what consideration his Department has given to this question?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am aware that modern methods of handling coal are successful in giving the consumer a cleaner product, from which it follows that more unsaleable material is extracted at the colliery. The disposal of this material must be dealt with by each colliery in the light of its particular circumstances.
§ Mr. TINKERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this material is put into heaps at the collieries and that there is danger of spontaneous combustion? Nothing has been done about this matter, and I am asking the right hon. Gentleman to deal with it for the protection of the people working at the collieries.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI quite understand the point put by the hon. Member, but we do not see any means of dealing with the subject by general regulations.
§ Mr. GORDON MACDONALDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is before the House a Bill which would deal effectively with the subject, but that the Government will not give facilities for it?