asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can give the number of pits in Lancashire which have been closed down completely since 1921 and also the number employed at that date, and the latest figures in his possession of the number employed now?

Since 1921, 174 pits in Lancashire have been adandoned. The number of wage-earners on colliery books at end of October, 1921, was 104,800 and at end of October, 1934, 59,400.

Has the Secretary for Mines been invited to take part in consultation with the Cabinet on the figures for Lancashire in connection with the distressed areas?

I do not think I should be called upon to answer that question.