asked the Secretary for Mines whether, so far from pumping the Parys mine being an expensive matter, it would actually be profitable, seeing that from the water so pumped and treated in 1912, copper, etc., precipitated to a total value of £9,000?

The copper precipitate obtained at this mine is understood to be derived from water flowing by' gravitation from the mine augmented by the leaching of the old waste heaps. To pump out the water from below adit level and reopen the mine would be a much more difficult and expensive operation.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the great importance of the issue, both commercially and from the point of view of employment, he will order an independent expert examination of the mine possibilities, especially in view of the enormous enhancement of the price of copper and the scientific improvements now available for dealing with the difficulties?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to a similar question on the 17th November, to which I have nothing to add.