HC Deb 18 July 1939 vol 350 cc179-80
43. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries that have been closed in Great Britain during the three years ended the last convenient date; the number of same which have not been reopened; and the aggregate number of men directly affected?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT

Mr. Day

Cannot the Minister give an answer to the last part of the question?

Mr. G. Griffiths

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many mines there are in Southwark?

Following is the reply:

During the three years ended 1st July, 1939, 207 pits in Great Britain, each employing 10 or more persons, and in the aggregate 25,155 persons, have been closed and not reopened; but it would be wrong to assume that all these persons were rendered idle, as, during this period, there has been in the industry as a whole a net increase of 15,600 in the average number of wage-earners on colliery books.