asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is usual to measure the local rates levied upon mining companies according to the amount of coal or minerals produced, thus acting as a tax on output which must tend to restrict the output; whether under this system a remission of charge follows upon the closing down of any mine, and an increase of charge has to be met if a mine is reopened; and whether he has considered the effect of this system upon trade and unemployment?

I have been asked to answer this question. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is advised that a mine, like other rateable property, is assessable to local rates upon an estimate of the annual rent which a tenant might be expected to give for it, and the output which may reasonably be anticipated is obviously an important factor in estimating the rent which a tenant would be likely to give. It follows that the closing and subsequent reopening of a mine must affect its rateable value. As regards the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend will be happy to consider any suggestions which the hon. and gallant Gentleman may have to make.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make inquiries, when he will find that this question is correct in stating that the rates are levied on the output, and not on the value of the mines?

I will convey my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion to my right hon. Friend.

Do I understand the hon. and gallant Member to say that local rates are levied on mining royalties?

That does not arise.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been called to the increased number of fatal and non-fatal accidents in recent years on the haulage roads of the mines; and whether he intends to take any steps, to ensure greater safety?

The number of accidents of this kind reported has, I am glad to say, decreased, and not increased, during recent years, but it is still very high, and I am anxious to see it reduced further. Many haulage accidents are attributable every year to forgetfulness and the taking of unnecessary risks, due, in some cases, no doubt, to over-keenneess. I am very hopeful that the safety first campaign in the mining industry, which my Department has been endeavouring to promote, and which now seems to be getting well under way, will, in time, if it is energetically pursued, do a great deal to reduce the number of avoidable accidents in this and other mining operations. I am not so hopeful as to the possibility of bringing about any substantial reduction in the number of haulage accidents by further legislation or administrative action, but the matter is receiving consideration, and I am always glad to receive any definite suggestions.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when this question was under discussion in July last year, his predecessor in office, looking at the alarming number of accidents on haulage ways, practically admitted that there would be some inquiry into this matter?

Yes, Sir; there has been a considerable amount of inquiry.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that the best and most efficient means of reducing the number of accidents in mines will be when deputies are paid by the State, and are free to exercise their best judgment in the mines?

That is a new question, which ought to be put down.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that there have been several colliery explosions in the Cumberland coalfields during recent years, and that the loss of life has been considerable through those explosions; and will he take steps to appoint a Committee to investigate and report on the causes of such explosions, with a view? of legislation being brought forward to prevent repetition of similar occurrences?

The facts, are, unfortunately, as stated in the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the study of the causes and methods of prevention of explosions in coal mines is among the most important of the duties of my Department, and has long engaged its constant attention. A stringent code of precautionary Regulations is in force, and is periodically revised in the light of experience and research. Every explosion is the subject of careful investigation; and, while I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion, I doubt whether a further general inquiry into recent explosions in the Cumberland coalfield would add anything to our knowledge.

What action is taken by the Department when the Mining Regulations are broken, and men are allowed to work among gas?

That is constantly a matter of investigation and inquiry, and where any allegation of that kind is proved, there are ample powers.

Are people who are found to be responsible punished?

Yes, Sir, constantly.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Mines has not yet given his Report on the Whitehaven Haig Pit explosion inquiry; and will he take steps to see that the Report is circulated at an early date?

Yes, Sir. I will do everything in my power to expedite publication. The Report is now with the printers, and I hope it will be issued this month. The reproduction of the plans, which are an essential part of the Report, is a lengthy process, and it is on this account only that publication is delayed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are to be any proceedings taken in Whitehaven as a result of the disaster?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the inquiry addressed by his Department to five big banks concerning facilities for the banking accounts in connection with the Miners' Welfare Fund has been interpreted in many localities as meaning that only those banks are approved by the Mines Department for the purpose of this business; and whether he will give instructions that immediate steps should be taken to advise local miners' welfare committees that they are free to open accounts with other banks which provide satisfactory terms?

I was not aware that the circular issued by the Welfare Fund Committee was being interpreted in the sense suggested by the hon. Member, but I am arranging for a further communication to be addressed to the district committees, in order to remove any possible misapprehension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Customs Department are demanding payment of duty, under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, on packages of no commercial value arriving in this country from Germany; that recently a package of free samples of photographic plates seized by the Customs was only released by the importers naming a fictitious value of the goods and paying the duty thereon; that as the importers are not paying the German firm for these goods they are unable to recover the amount demanded by the Customs; and, if so, whether he will see that the Act which was to obtain money from Germany and not from British firms is not violated in future, and order the refund of the money paid in such cases?

The particular instance to which the hon. and gallant Member refers has not been brought to my notice, but I may point out that the German Reparation (Recovery) Act applies generally to all goods, first consigned from Germany to the United Kingdom, and that samples can only be exempted if they comply with the terms of the German Reparation (Recovery) No. 6 Order of 1922, made by the Board of Trade on the recommendation of the Statutory Committee under Section 5 (1) of the Act. That Order confines the exemption to bonâ fide trade samples or patterns of no commercial value for which no payment is made and which are imported in quantities of not more than a single article of any one variety.