§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the result of the latest investigation made into the prospects of the North Staffs coalfield;
(2) if consideration has beer, given to the coalfields of the Midland Regional Survey Report; and what action has been taken or it is proposed to take:
281W(3) if consideration has been given to paragraph 69 of the Midland Regional Survey Report; what action has been taken or is contemplated; if, in view of the potential supplies of coal in this area, recent borings have been made; when and where it is intended that new shafts will he sunk; and what are the programme and targets to be set for this area
§ Mr. Shinwell:The Report of the Midland Regional Survey was a comprehensive review of the coalfields in the Region more particularly from the point of view of long-term development. It will be for the National Coal Board, when appointed, to consider the recommendations of the Report, especially those, such as are referred to in paragraph 69, which relate to further exploration, and to plan the development of the area. In the meantime my Regional Officers are pursuing the recommendations of the Report designed to secure an immediate increase in output.