§ 32. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has had any further negotiations with the Nottinghamshire coalowners with a view to finding a conciliatory solution to the Harworth dispute; and whether he has any additional information to give the House as to the present situation in that area?
§ Captain CrookshankI have at present nothing to add to the statement I made last Tuesday.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I ask whether the Secretary for Mines agrees with the view held in many responsible quarters that a speedy settlement of this trouble would be secured by a more reasonable attitude on the part of the colliery owners? Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman exhausted all methods of conciliation?
§ Captain CrookshankI have said nothing about having exhausted my efforts. If the hon. Member refers to what I said, he will find that I said I should continue to do all in my power to find a solution of the trouble.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman had any communication with the Miners' Federation of Great Britain recently?
§ Captain CrookshankI do not think that any useful purpose would be served by explaining with whom I have been in contact, but I will say that I have not lost touch with either side.