asked the Secretary for Mines what number of collieries were closed in the anthracite area of the South Wales coalfield in 1933, 1934, and up to date, and the number of men that have been thrown out of employment as a consequence?

Captain CROOKSHANK:

During 1933, eight anthracite pits in South Wales employing 447 men, were closed and have not since re-opened. The corresponding figures for 1934 were six pits employing 616 men. Since 1st January, 1935, nine pits employing 1,878 men have been closed and not ye re-opened, but some of them may well re-open before the end of the year.