§ Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware 1142W that large numbers of owners of small private dwellings and of small shops in the Rhymney Valley, Glamorganshire, are suffering great hardship by reason of the financial loss sustained through the effect of subsidence due to underground working, and that local authorities are similarly spending heavy sums in repairing water courses and public sewers for the same reason; and whether the Government proposes to introduce legislation for dealing with the problem involved?
§ Mr. G. HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the increasing damage done to health and property, private and public, by subsidence from mining operations, he will represent to the Royal Commission on Subsidence due to Mining Operations the desirability of expediting their Report?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXA Royal Commission is at present conducting an inquiry into the extent and gravity of the damage caused by subsidence owing the extraction of minerals, and has been asked to report what steps should be taken by legislation or otherwise to remedy any defects or hardships that may be found to arise in existing conditions. The Government must await the Commission's Report before deciding whether legislation is necessary. In view of the difficulty and importance of this inquiry, I should strongly deprecate any pressure being put upon them to present a Report before they feel ready to do so.