Mr. J. R. Thomasasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the anxiety and distress caused to disabled miners and their families in Kent by the numerous ejectment orders issued against them; whether his Department were consulted by Messrs. Dorman Long and Company before these actions were commenced; and what action does he intend to take to stop such applications to the court being made in the future.
§ Mr. Gaitskell:I have no power to interfere with the exercise of contractual rights affecting the tenancy of colliery houses, and my Department was not consulted before action was taken to secure possession. I am glad to be able to state, however, that as a result of my representations further action has been suspended pending consultations between all the authorities and interests concerned.