§ MR. PAUL (Edinburgh, S.)May I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information as to the present position of the dispute in the Scotch coal trade, and whether he has intervened?
§ MR. BRYCEThe Board of Trade have not intervened because they have not found that any fitting opportunity has arisen at which its intervention would be likely to accelerate a settlement of the dispute. I have, of course, information regarding the present position, but I am sorry to say that none of it is such as would be, in my judgment, likely to have a good effect if communicated to the House at this moment. I may, however, express my earnest hope that the masters will take the earliest opportunity of meeting the men with the view of discussing the best means—fair to both parties—of putting an end to a dispute which is causing such widespread distress.