19. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Secretary for Mines when the question of draining the water-logged coal areas in South-west Durham was first considered by his Department; and whether anything is being done by his Department, and the 223 interests concerned, with a view to removing the water so that the coal may be worked, and a menace to the safety of miners working at lower levels at adjacent collieries be removed?
§ Captain CrookshankThe problem of mine drainage in South-West Durham is one of long standing. As I informed the hon. Member on 1st December, 1936, my Department can do nothing to promote a drainage scheme under the Mining Industry Act, 1920, unless a majority of coal owners concerned in any given case is in favour. As was stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in reply to a question on 15th November last, such a scheme is at present under discussion between the South-West Durham Development and Reconstruction Board and the colliery companies in an attempt to secure the necessary support.
Mr. StewartAs the hon. and gallant Gentleman says that this accumulation of water may be a source of great danger to the men who are working at lower levels, is it not the responsibility of the Secretary for Mines and his Department to set up the necessary machinery to remove this menace?
§ Captain CrookshankNo, Sir. I have already pointed out what the position is under the law.
§ Mr. BateyAs the Minister has said that this question is of long standing—and, it is of very long standing—when are we to have a settlement? Is it the Mines Department or some other Department which has the authority for settling the question; and when is it to be settled?
§ Captain CrookshankI am sorry. I thought that my reply made that point clear, that I could do nothing unless the majority of the coalowners concerned in any given place are in favour of the scheme, but at the present moment a scheme is under discussion between the South-West Durham Development and Reconstruction Board and the colliery companies, and we must wait and see what is the result of this discussion.
§ Mr. BateyAre we to understand that it is now out of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's hands and that it is a matter for the Ministry of Labour and the South-West Durham Development and Reconstruction Board?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not think it has been in my hands yet, because the necessary majority has not been available in any particular case.
§ Mr. ShinwellMay I ask the Secretary for Mines whether, in the event of a majority of the coalowners not agreeing to set up a central drainage scheme, he has not power to exercise compulsion under the 1920 Act?
§ Captain CrookshankI have just said that unless that situation arises, such powers as I have to help cannot be put into effect. I think we must wait and see whether there is a majority.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy should the Minister allow one or two recalcitrant mineowners to stand in the way of an effective drainage scheme?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not know that there are one or two recalcitrant mine-owners. What I say is that there is at present a discussion taking place between the board and the colliery companies, and until we know the outcome of that discussion we shall not know whether there is agreement or not.