§ 62. Mr. G. Macdonaldasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the anxiety in many mining areas should war not be averted owing to the delay in dealing effectively with the burning pit-heaps; and what he proposes to do to allay such anxiety?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Sir John Anderson)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 8th June to a question by the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. R. J. Taylor).
§ Mr. MacdonaldWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange for himself or some member of his Department; to visit these areas at night time to see these pit-heaps all aglow?
§ Sir J. AndersonUntil the Civil Defence Bill has become an Act of Parliament I have no power in this matter, but with a view to exercising the power conferred by that Bill when it is on the Statute Book I am at present considering, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Mines Department, whether any further measures can be devised for dealing with this very difficult problem.