§ 100. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now in a position to make a statement on the effects of mining subsidence on the 99W finances of local authorities in mining areas and the action he will take to assist them.
§ Mr. SandysMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power is now reexamining the whole question of mining subsidence, including the practicability of adopting the Turner Committee's proposals, in consultation with the National Coal Board and the other Departments concerned, including my own. If a general solution of the problem on the lines recommended by the Turner Committee should not prove practicable, the Government will be prepared to extend the scope of the forthcoming review of local government finance so as to bring within its terms of reference consideration of the burden falling on the rates in areas liable to especially serious mining subsidence.