§ 23. Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make a statement on the suggestion made to the mining industry that development work and repairs should be held up in the present emergency so that maximum production can be concentrated upon?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe points mentioned are among those receiving continuous attention by the Coal Production Council and by the district and pit production committees. The necessity for taking all possible steps, consistent with proper safety precautions, to secure maximum production during the next few months has been impressed on everyone concerned.
§ Mr. SmithWill my hon. Friend appreciate that while one can understand development work being held back, what is annoying the coalfields is the suggestion that repair work should be held back, and a feeling that repair work underground cannot be held back without increasing the accident rate?
§ Mr. GrenfellI do not know who is responsible for the advertisement of that suggestion in the? coalfield. I myself made the original suggestion, but I made it quite clear to both parties in the industry that there was no intention of delaying any necessary repair work.
§ Mr. SmithI did draw my hon. Friend's attention to statements that had been made by responsible persons.