15. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared to ask the Commissioner for the Special Areas to make a grant for the purpose of preventing the flow of water into colliery workings from the River Gaunless, near Evenwood Colliery, county Durham, by concreting its bed in parts or diverting its water into safer channels?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am informed that the Commissioner for Special Areas is discussing with the county council the possibility of carrying out a scheme to deal with the problem referred to by the hon. Member.
Mr. StewartIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large volume of water is flowing into the colliery workings from this river which is calculated to increase the pumping costs of the proprietors, and is a danger to those who are working in the surrounding places; and that unless something is done by the Commissioner or the Department of the right hon. Gentleman, nothing worth while will be done?
§ Mr. BrownPerhaps the hon. Member will await the result of the discussion between the Commissioner and the county council, which has, of course, to take cognisance of such factors as have just been mentioned by the hon. Member.