§ Mr. EDWARDSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he can give the figures for the upkeep of roads, maintenance of gas and water mains, etc., in districts where subsidence is caused by working the coal measures and in districts which are free from the above conditions; and, if these figures are not in his possession, will he take steps to secure them
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS:I understand that there are no statistics available which would enable these particulars to be given for the two classes of districts separately. An endeavour will be made to get information on the subject from some typical areas.
Mr. H. PARKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware of the damage that is occurring in the Potteries district of Stoke-on-Trent to public and private property by subsidence caused by mining, and the loss which is resulting to the public authority and to private householders; will he cause inquiries to be made into the facts, with a view to including some provision in any new legislation which he may bring forward in relation to the question of compensation for mining subsidence; and will he cause these inquiries to be made on the spot?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOX:As the hon. Member is aware, a deputation from Stoke-on-Trent have recently informed me what the position is. But as the Government do not see their way to introduce new legislation dealing with damage already caused by mining operations, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a detailed enquiry on the spot. The proposals to which I referred in my answer to questions on the same subject on 19th February are 521W contained in the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Bill, which has now been introduced in another place.