§ Mr. Sloanasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered a communication from the Lanarkshire Mine Workers' Union protesting that, despite his assurance that no mine would be closed without first reporting all the circumstances to the Production Committee, Coltness Coal Company have intimated that Viewpark Colliery, Uddingston, will definitely close on 14th February, 1942; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe owners of this mine, Messrs. Robert Addie & Sons, gave notice to the District Production Committee on the 6th February to the effect that View-park Colliery would be closed on 14th February, 1942. I am informed that the mine is being closed because the readily available and workable coal is almost exhausted; the output per person employed is extremely low and by the absorption of the men in other mines where work is available, the output per man-shift will be considerably higher.