§ 87. Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the names of the persons constituting the committee appointed to examine the law of support and the problem of damage caused by mining subsidence; the number of meetings which have been held; whether any evidence has been given to the committee by representatives of local authorities affected by mining subsidence; and when may the committe's report be expected.
§ Mr. GaitskellAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) on 12th December, 1946, and also to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Cannock (Miss Lee) on the 14th February, 1947, of which I am sending him copies.
The Committee have held twenty-one meetings at which witnesses representing the principal interests affected, and the technical institutions concerned have been examined. In addition, seven private meetings have been held; and the Committee have also visited mining areas in South Wales, Cannock Chase, North Staffordshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Fife.
Evidence has been given to the Committee by representatives of local authorities in Scotland, and by representatives of local authorities in Lancashire. Representatives of the four local authority associations in England and Wales are to give evidence before the Committee in February. I cannot say at the moment when the Committee will have completed their work.