§ 26. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the number of mines winding coal in this country decreased from 2,919 in 1900 to about 1,695 in 1944, and that some of them were closed because separate colliery companies failed to agree on co-operative pumping schemes to prevent flooding; and is he satisfied that he has sufficient legal powers to prevent that happening in future.
§ Mr. T. SmithI am aware that a number of pits have been closed through trouble with water, and it may well be that