§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can make a statement on the coal seams found in the North Staffordshire area and in the Madeley district.
§ Mr. GaitskellI am informed by the National Coal Board that boring was undertaken in this area to determine the location of the seams to the East of a major fault limiting the present workings at Madeley Colliery. Five seams with a total thickness of 31 ft. of coal have been proved, and other seams are believed to exist at a lower level. Further exploration is required to determine the full reserves available and will be put in hand, and meanwhile the significance of the discovery for the future development of the area cannot be assessed.