§ 66. Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will explain the policy of his Department with regard to the imminent dismantling of the Tamworth Colliery, which supplies important factories in Birmingham, and local householders; whether these consumers can be supplied as cheaply from other sources; and whether he is satisfied that equally-productive employment will be offered to and accepted by the displaced employés?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe Tamworth Colliery is a small unit in the Warwickshire coalfield and has for some time past been receiving substantial assistance from other Warwickshire owners. They are no longer prepared to continue their subvention, and, on a careful review of all the circumstances, I am not prepared to take exceptional measures to maintain it in production. The colliery is an old one and the output per man employed is very much below the average of other collieries in the district. I am assured that the men 1589 who have been employed at the Tam-worth Colliery will be found employment in neighbouring collieries and that the output from the Warwickshire coalfield will not suffer as a result of the abandonment of this mine.
§ Sir J. MellorIs it desirable in wartime that a pit should go out of production, solely for financial reasons?
§ Mr. GrenfellIt is not desirable, but this pit has been kept in production long after it ceased to be financially sound. I am now assured that there will be no loss of output in closing the pit, and there is expectation of better output if the men are employed elsewhere.