§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether in view of the decision of the National Coal Board, announced on 4th December, that it intends to close Douglas Castle Colliery, Lanarkshire, with consequential unemployment for 336 miners, he will call for a survey of possible sites or buildings in the village of Douglas where small light industries could be established, paying particular attention to the Cotton Houses and Sliddery in Main Street;
(2) whether, in view of the National Coal Board's announced intention to close Douglas Castle Colliery, Lanarkshire, by March, 1959, causing 336 miners to lose their jobs, he will extend application of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, with the object of steering alternative employment to the village of Douglas, which has no other industry and has for many years depended on this colliery for its livelihood.
§ Sir D. EcclesI understand that most of the miners now employed at the Douglas Castle Colliery will be offered work elsewhere. I shall watch the position, but I hope that there will be no need to consider whether the application of the Act should be extended to the area.