asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he has had his attention called to the report of a case in Wellington Street, Motherwell, where, owing to fissures in the walls of a block of houses, occasioned by mining subsidences underneath the property, two schoolboys in a house adjoining that wherein a doctor was conducting a surgical operation were overcome with chloroform fumes; whether he is aware of the damage to private, co-operative, and municipal property caused by mining subsidences; and whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will during the present Session introduce a Bill to compel owners or operators of minerals to pay compensation for damage done by reason of subsidences caused by underground workings?

I have been asked to answer this question. The circumstances mentioned in the first part of the question had not previously come to the notice of the Scottish Board of Health, but my hon. and gallant Friend is making inquiries. The general question of surface damage due to mining operations is under careful consideration by the Government, but no such legislation as the hon. Member suggests will be possible during the present Session.

Is not the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the very great interest that is taken in this subject by the local authorities throughout the country, and cannot he do something to secure tranquillity in this respect?

Yes, Sir, there is undoubtedly great interest taken in this very important question, and the matter is being very carefully considered at the present time.