§ 22. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary for Mines the reasons for the recent closing down of Strangeways Colliery, Hindley; the number of persons thrown out of work thereby; and whether there is any possibility of this pit re-opening?
§ Captain CrookshankI am informed that this colliery was closed owing to the exhaustion of all the principal seams; the number of men employed prior to closing was 462; as only some thin upper seams are left, it is unlikely that the colliery will be re-opened.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the fact that this is the seventeenth colliery which has been closed in this neighbourhood in the last eight years, and that there is ample evidence that there is plenty of coal underground in the neighbourhood, cannot the Secretary for Mines do something to re-open some of these pits?
§ Captain CrookshankThe question refers to one particular pit, and as I said, there are only some thin upper seams left, and it is not likely that the pit will be re-opened.