§ Mr. BARKERasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron, and Coal Company closed three collieries at Blaina, Monmouthshire, early in 1921; that thousands of miners have been unemployed in this area for over two years; and will he, in view of the better demand for coal now prevailing, use his good offices with a view to inducing the company to restart their collieries?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I understand that steps have now been taken to work this coal through other shafts, including a new shaft at Blaina. I would gladly do anything in my power to mitigate the existing unemployment, but the question whether the old pits could again be worked remuneratively is not one upon which I could offer any opinion.