HC Deb 29 July 1938 vol 338 cc3474-6
7. Mr. Gordon Macdonald

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal seams or mines that have been abandoned during the year 1937 in the collieries situate in the township of Abram, near Wigan, and in the township of Ashton-in-Maker-field, stating the primary reason for their abandonment; and to what extent the unworked coal is likely to be worked from other directions?

The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)

During the year 1937 no coal mine or seam in the parish of Abram was abandoned. In the parish of Ashton-in-Makerfield no mine was abandoned in 1937, but in each of two collieries one seam was abandoned for economic reasons. In each case the colliery is still working, and the unworked coal could be got from these mines if it were found profitable to work it.

Mr. Macdonald

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman consulted in any way before the closing down of seams or mines?

Captain Crookshank

No, Sir.

Mr. Macdonald

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give instructions that in future, before a seam or colliery is closed, his Department shall be consulted by the colliery company?

Captain Crookshank

These were abandoned for economic reasons over which I have no control.

8. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal seams or mines that have been abandoned in Lancashire and Cheshire during the last 10 years owing to the lack of adequate pumping machinery; and what action was taken by the Mines Department to try to avoid abandoning these seams or mines?

Captain Crookshank

During the last 10 years six mines in Lancashire and three in Cheshire have been abandoned through lack of adequate pumping machinery. Of these all but two were small mines employing only a few persons. Another mine was closed because the quantity of water to be dealt with made working unprofitable. With regard to the last part of the question, as the hon. Member is aware, in order to establish a joint pumping scheme it is in practice necessary to have in favour of such a scheme a majority of the colliery owners concerned, which so far it has not been possible to obtain. My Department is always ready to give any assistance in its power to this end, but cannot compel agreement.

Mr. Macdonald

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the lack of pumping machinery is ruining big coal areas in Lancashire and other parts of the country, and will he take more action to get the colliery companies to consider this matter favourably?

Mr. Craven-Ellis

What is the number of employés in the two mines to which my hon. and gallant Friend referred as being different from the others which employ only a few?

Captain Crookshank

I am afraid I have not got that information at hand, and could not give it without notice. As regards the question of the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. Macdonald), I think the question he asked and my reply may serve a useful purpose.

9. Mr. Tinker

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines closed down in Leigh during 1937; the names of the colliery companies which owned them; the cause of closing; and the number of persons put out of work?

Captain Crookshank

During 1937 one mine in Leigh parish was abandoned. This was Heyfield and West Leigh Colliery, owned by the West Leigh Colliery Company, Limited, and on 31st December, 1936, it employed a total of 1,315 persons. The mine was closed for economic reasons.

Mr. Tinker

When events such as this take place, does the hon. and gallant Gentleman warn the Prime Minister of the distress caused by unemployment, so that steps can be taken by the Cabinet to deal with the matter?

Captain Crookshank

I think it would be unreasonable to say in public what communications pass between Ministers.

Mr. Thorne

Is not the closing down of these pits due to over-capitalisation?

Mr. Tinker

If I may say so with respect, that was hardly a fair reply of the Minister. Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman treat the question more seriously than he has done?

Mr. David Grenfell

Is it not advisable that the hon. and gallant Gentleman should communicate with the owners in districts where there are many mines and where the closing of one mine affects a large number of collieries, with a view to asking the owners to get together to consider whether they cannot take joint action to save the mines?