§ Sir F. KELLEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Committee recently appointed to investigate the resources of the Yorkshire coalfield will be empowered to put down trial borings in unproved ground; and whether he will consider the possibility of arrangements whereby the geological survey would undertake to advise on the position of such borings and supervise their conduct on behalf of private owners at a moderate fee?
Mr. WOODI have been asked to reply to this question. It is impossible at this early stage of the Committee's work to give a definite answer to the first part of the question. The Committee, however, is working in close touch with the Geological Survey, one of the functions of which is to advise on the position of borings in unproved ground. The Geological Survey cannot undertake to "supervise their conduct on behalf of private owners."