§ 101. Mr. Osborneasked the Paymaster-General, for the latest convenient date, how many pits were uneconomic; what is the annual output of such pits; how many men were employed in them; what was the average loss per ton; what was the highest loss per ton; and, in view of the anticipated loss this year of £30 to £40 million by the National Coal Board, whether he will give a general direction to the Board to close any pit as soon as its working is found to be uneconomic.
§ Mr. MaudlingI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3rd March to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason). A general direction on the lines suggested in the last part of the Question would be quite impracticable.