HC Deb 27 February 1940 vol 357 c1863
4. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of collieries that have been closed since the outbreak of war, their location, particulars of numbers employed and the output of those mines; whether owners of collieries are obliged to notify him of the intention to close down collieries; and whether, in any instances, he intervenes to prevent collieries being closed at the present time?

Mr. Lloyd

As regards the first part of the Question, it is not desirable that this information should be published in wartime; but I can assure the hon. Member that my Department looks most carefully into all cases of the threatened closing of pits of substantial size with a view to preventing it if possible.