§ Mr. G. BARKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the distress at Blaina, Monmouthshire, due to the closing of the mines since February, 1921, he can state if there is any immediate prospect of these mines being re-opened, in view of the reported revival in the coal trade since his visit to Blaina and his consultation with the representatives of the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron, and Coal Company; and if he is in a position to state the result of the inquiries he was making on 9th February last into the question of finding employment for these people?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed that since my visit to Blaina in February last the double-shift system has been introduced at the North Blaina and Lower Deep pits, and that these two pits are now employing about 1,200 workpeople. The company are also sinking a new shaft in the lower part of the district and are driving a main heading from the Rose Heyworth pit in order to reach some of the workings in the South Griffin pit, which has been closed for sonic time. T fear that the other pits in the Blaina district must be regarded as permanently abondoned, but I am assured that the company are doing all that is possible by way of new developments at the continuing collieries to absorb as many as possible of the workpeople who are unemployed.