§ 10. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will, under the power vested in him by Section 1 of the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, amend subsection (2) thereof by substituting a higher figure for the figure mentioned in that subsection.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. J. Harrison) on 21st November.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the rateable value of dwellinghouses will be increased from 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. in the near future?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI have no information upon that subject.
§ 16. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will indicate the precise nature of the comprehensive review of the Turner Committee's recommendations on Mining Subsidence now being undertaken by his Department in conjunction with the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI have nothing to add at present to the information which has been given to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that no information has been given to me at all and that the Minister has not indicated what is the nature of his review? Are we to understand that this review has been going on for four years since he has been in office? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend has claimed that his record on the subject has been better than that of the Labour Government, but that the Labour Government did produce legislation on the subject? When is some legislation going to be forthcoming from the present Minister?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksI cannot answer the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, but the review, as my right hon. Friend has informed the hon. Gentleman, is a comprehensive one, and it was initiated towards the end of the last Session.
19. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much damage has occurred in Durham County due to mining subsidence since 1948; and what total amount of money has been paid in compensation since 1948 in lieu thereof by the National Coal Board in accordance with the provisions of the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe National Coal Board is responsible for dealing with claims for subsidence damage, and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.
§ 22. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will bring forward legislation to amend the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, by raising the values in the Act by the percentage amount of the fall in the purchasing power of the £ since 1950.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksNo, Sir.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs not that a very mean reply? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the purchasing value of the £ has fallen by 20 per cent. since the passage of the Coal-Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950? Should not the rateable value of the dwellings, for which compensation is payable, and the minimum grants made by the Exchequer, be raised by 20 per cent. in order to keep pace and give value for what was the intention of Parliament when the Act was passed?
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksThe person receiving the compensation payable for the repair of small houses is not prejudiced. He is automatically protected against increases in expenditure, since he receives the cost of repairing the house.