§ 15. Mr. Mathersasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the worsened employment position at Bo'ness consequent upon the closing down of Bridgeness Colliery; and whether he is entering into consultation with the Secretary for Mines in an effort to relieve the position?
§ Mr. E. BrownI very much regret the recent reduction in the number of wage-earners employed at the pits comprising the Bridgeness Colliery, Bo'ness. I understand that the company have stated that the pits had become uneconomic owing to the impending exhaustion of the available coal, and that they have therefore been closed permanently. As regards the second part of the question, which the hon. Member has supplemented in his personal letter to me, I have been in communication with my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, who informs me that he has no powers in the matter. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that my Department will continue to take every opportunity of securing the re-absorption of the workpeople displaced in alternative employment and I am glad to be able to state that 20 of the men have already secured employment at a neighbouring colliery.