§ Mr. SWANasked the Secretary for Mines whether any inquiry has been made into the causes why certain of the coal mines in the County of Durham have been stopped; and, if not, will such an inquiry be made and the findings reported to the House, as the effect of these stoppages is creating widespread poverty and alarm to the local authorities?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am asking the Durham Coalowners' Association whether they can indicate the principal causes for the recent decline in activity, but I fear that a remedy can only be looked for in a revival of trade.
§ Mr. SWANasked the Secretary for Mines the number of mines working in the County of Durham during the period of control and the number to-day, and the number of miners engaged in and about the mines in Durham up to the end of March, 1921, and the number to-day?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe number of coal mines working in the County of Durham during the period of control was about 250, and the number producing coal clueing the week ended 3rd June was 216. The number of wage earners on colliery books in the County of Durham in March, 1921, was 167,592, and the corresponding number at the beginning of this month was 153,656.
§ Mr. SWANasked the Secretary for Mines the number of coal miners out of work in the County of Durham, and the number who have been given notice to finish work in the same county?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that the number of unemployment books lodged by coal miners in the County of Durham at the end of May, 1922, was 15,460. I do not know the number of men under notice.