HC Deb 20 June 1935 vol 303 cc539-40
31. Mr. TINKER

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the increasing number of burning pit-heaps in Lancashire and Yorkshire; and, in view of the danger to health that they cause, will he have an investigation made by his Department to find out the number and the area covered by them?

Sir K. WOOD

I am aware that there are burning pit-heaps in Lancashire and Yorkshire, but not that their number is increasing. An investigation was made last year and it was estimated that there were 45 such heaps in Lancashire and 10 in Yorkshire.

Mr. TINKER

Did the Department of the right hon. Gentleman do anything at the time to deal with this question, and, seeing that it is now under a new Chief, will he make some attempt to deal with it?

Sir K. WOOD

I would suggest to the hon. Gentleman that perhaps my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, in conjunction with the Mining Association, might be most helpful in this matter.

Mr. TINKER

I have done that, and I seem to be passed from one to the other and get no further.