63. Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour the amount of coal that has been purchased by the estate company under the Team Valley Trading Estate, and the price paid per ton; or whether the coal is to be worked by the coalowners and the estate company left without any right to support?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)As regards the first two parts of the question, I am informed that the transaction between the North Eastern Trading Estate Company and the previous owners was not specifically divided between land and coal. At the south end of the estate the agreement made by the Trading Estate Company for the purchase of the surface carried with it the immediate right of support to a central strip of sufficient width to enable the company to proceed with development of the estate. This agreement also embodied arrangements for organising the winning of coal under the areas on each side of the central strip in such a way as to allow the estate to be developed over these areas at the appropriate time. As regards the north end, I understand an action in the High Court is pending. The hon. Member will not, therefore, expect a statement from me.
Mr. StewartIs the House to understand that the Government have allowed factories to be built costing thousands of pounds without a guarantee against being let down?
Mr. StewartDoes not the latter part of the answer suggest that they have not the necessary guarantees?