§ 17. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Fuel and Power the date when his Department commenced consideration and consultations with other Departments regarding the question of subsidence in the mining areas of this country; and when it is expected these will end.
Major Lloyd GeorgeConsideration by the various Departments concerned commenced in the autumn. It is not possible to say when the necessary enquiries into this difficult and complicated matter will be completed.
§ Mr. DaggarDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not agree that there are so many reports on this question that
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I ought, however, to add to the figures shown that while the provisional credit' balance during the year 1943 was about is. 4½d. a ton, the Government is committed to making this up to 1s. 6d. a ton.
§ The statement is as follows:
§ it is not necessary to delay a settlement by additional considerations and consultations?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe only thing I would ask the hon. Member to consider is that there are good many other Departments concerned with this matter, particularly in regard to housing and so on, and that the Departments are very fully occupied at the moment. I can assure my hon. Friend that no unnecessary delay will occur.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIn considering the problem of subsidence in coal mining areas and areas which are depressed, will the right hon. and gallant Member's Department take into account the very im- 13 portant fact that new industries will not come to those areas because of the fear of subsidence of new factories?