asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that Baggeridge Colliery is working under the handicap of being short-handed by about 150 miners; that things are little, if at all, better in other Midland pits; and what action does he propose to take to remedy this most serious state of affairs?

As I informed the hon. Member on 20th May, the general question of providing the man-power required in the coal-mining industry is being discussed with other Government Departments. I am not, at present, in a position to make any further statement.

Do the Government realise that the mechanisation of the industry is really quite as important as its actual numbers?

Yes, as far as the Government can give a personal realisation of any problem, I know that the matter is being considered from that point of view.