§ 86. Mr. Hannahasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Baggeridge Colliery is working under the handicap of being short-handed by about 150 miners; that things are little, if at all, better in other Midland pits; and what action does he propose to take to remedy this most serious state of affairs?
§ Mr. GrenfellAs I informed the hon. Member on 20th May, the general question of providing the man-power required in the coal-mining industry is being discussed with other Government Departments. I am not, at present, in a position to make any further statement.
§ Mr. HannahDo the Government realise that the mechanisation of the industry is really quite as important as its actual numbers?
§ Mr. GrenfellYes, as far as the Government can give a personal realisation of any problem, I know that the matter is being considered from that point of view.