§ 20. Major COLVILLEasked the Secretary for Mines if he will make inquiries for the purpose of ascertaining how many miners in Scotland have been suspended from employment owing to the operation of the quota under the Goal Mines Act?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI cannot accept the suggestion that any reduction in the number of persons employed in Scotland is due to the quota system. Numbers employed in all districts fluctuate from time to time according, among other things, to the state of trade. The Scottish District Scheme became operative on 1st January, 1931. During the week in which 1st January fell and subsequent weeks the number of persons employed has been:
It will be seen that although there has been a reduction of 1,000 in persons employed during January there has been a progressive increase in employment during the month. Judging by the recent course of trade, the district allocation of coal output to Scotland for the current quarter is not less than the amount which the district would sell if no regulation of output existed, and therefore the operation of the quota cannot be held responsible for any reduction in employment.
Week ended. 1931 Numbers employed. 3rd January 93,285 10th January 91,654 17th January 91,754 24th January 92,050 31st January 92,263
§ Major COLVILLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the exporting districts of Scotland many pits have had to reduce output when they actually had orders which they could have fulfilled?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe reply to the hon. and gallant Member is that if any coal-owner feels aggrieved because of any reduction in the quota, he has the right of appeal to the executive board and to arbitration. So far, we have had no complaints from any of these coalowners.
§ Mr. TINKERWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to how many were suspended before the quota came into operation?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThat is another question.
§ 28. Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines if, in view of the fact that it is now cheaper for large consumers in one district of Northumberland to import Polish coal rather than purchase British coal, he will take steps to change the quota system?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am unable to accept the hon. and gallant Member's statement of fact in the first part of the question; the second part does not, therefore, arise.
Colonel BROWNHas the hon. Gentleman seen this fact confirmed by an ex-chief inspector of mines in the public Press?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThere are many statements in the public Press which are not warranted by the facts.
§ Captain TODDWould the Minister be prepared to hear a statement from the displaced miners?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIf the miners or the organisation representing the miners care to make representations to the Mines Department, we shall be very glad to hear them.
§ Major COLVILLEIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the dissatisfaction that exists among the miners owing to the quota system?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken. We have heard of no dissatisfaction.
Mr. LEEWill the hon. Gentleman snake inquiries as to who has ordered this coal, so that we may know if they are supporters of Lord Beaverbrook?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIn point of fact, no Polish coal is coming into this country.