§ Mr. LAWSONasked the Secretary for Mines the number of amalgamations which have taken place under the Mining Industry Act, 1926; and whether he is now in a position to state the result of any amalgamations which have been effected?
§ Commodore KINGSince the passing of the Act, twelve amalgamations have been effected, involving 88 collieries employing approximately 81,000 people. Of these, three have been confirmed under the procedure provided in the Act. These figures do not include amalgamations not finally completed, even when the details have been made public. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.