asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is proposed to reopen any of the closed coal mines with a view to meeting the increasing demand for coal from overseas; and what plans he has for doing this?

As the hon. Member knows the question of reopening pits is one of the subjects under consideration by the Mining Association and the Mine-workers' Federation. It must not, however, be assumed that the re-opening of pits is in all cases the most effective way of utilising the man-power available.