§ Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will provide a list of the pits which are now operating under the control of his Department; and what has been the increase in 512W output per man per shift in each case since it was taken over?
Major Lloyd GeorgeSo far as the first part of the Question is concerned I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 9th February to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker); there are at present no further pits to be added to the list I gave at that time. With regard to the second part of the Question, it is not the practice to give such figures in respect of individual pits.
§ Dr. Petersasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been directed to the remarks of Mr. Justice Singleton regarding the Point of Ayr Colliery, Flintshire; and whether, as no inquiry had been made before taking drastic action and no letter was sent to the firm giving the reasons for the order made, he will agree to bring in an amended regulation to permit a right of appeal against orders made to safeguard the private rights of individuals or firms?
Major Lloyd GeorgeOn the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have given to-day to a Question by the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed) from which he will see that I did not take control of this undertaking without a full examination of the position. As regards the latter part of the Question, the Government are not prepared to recommend to Parliament an alteration of the law but I would point out that individuals or firms can obtain relief from the courts if any competent authority has exercised the powers conferred on them under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Acts, 1939 in bad faith.