§ 2.46 p.m.
THE LORD BISHOP OF DERBYMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the debate in this House on the 20th of July last, they are yet in a position to announce any positive policy with respect to the problem of mining subsidence in inhabited areas.]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Fuel and Power recently met a deputation of Members of Parliament and represen- 802 tatives of local authorities from mining areas and informed them that he would do all in his power to expedite the completion of the review now in hand of the mining subsidence problem. Meanwhile, he is consulting the local authority associations about a new limit of rateable value to be inserted in the Coal Mining (Subsidence) Act, 1950, in the light of changes in rating valuations which will come into force in England and Wales on April 1 next.
THE LORD BISHOP OF DERBYMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Earl for the courtesy of his reply and to express the hope that the expedition now being brought to bear on the review of this problem may be effective.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, expedition is always very desirable but, as the right reverend Prelate knows, this problem is peculiarly stubborn.