§ Mr. J. GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of coal mines abandoned and allowed to become waterlogged in the last ten years; and whether, in view of the danger of flooding thus created for adjacent mines still working and the burden of pumping costs thus imposed on those adjacent collieries, he will take steps to secure that this menace is dealt with on comprehensive lines by systems of main drainage of waterlogged areas or some other method?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKBetween 1st January, 1927, and 21st November, 1936, 773 pits employing more than ten men each at the date of closing have been abandoned, as well as 892 pits employing ten persons or fewer at the date of closing. I cannot say how many of these pits have become waterlogged. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Houghtonle-Spring (Mr. W. Joseph Stuart).