§ Mr. SITCHasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the pumping installation at the Hawne Colliery, Halesowen, Worcester, maintained there at the sole expense of the local mine owners, is the only one available for pumping water from the mines of a considerable area in the black country, that were a breakdown to occur in that installation serious flooding in those mines would inevitably ensue; and whether he can see his way to afford financial assistance to those concerned, in order to meet the heavy cost of additional pumping plant, and thereby provide against the contingency indicated above?
§ Sir A. GEDDESMy attention has been called to the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and I am having special inquiries made as to the steps required to safeguard the mines in question so far as possible against flooding.