§ Mr. SPENCERasked the Minister of Mines the number of coal mines which have been closed in Lancashire since 1st January, 1927; and how many of these have been closed through the liquidation of the owning firm?
§ Mr. ISAAC FOOTSince 1st January, 1927, 114 pits in Lancashire, employing 17,900 wage-earners, have been closed and not reopened. As far as I am aware, 17 of these pits were owned by 10 firms which have gone into liquidation. In one other case working is being continued under the receiver.