§ MR. WASON (Ayrshire, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large amount of suffering and privation amongst the miners and others in Ayrshire consequent upon the coal strike, he will endeavour to bring about a reconciliation between masters and men?
§ MR. BRYCEThe Government have noted with profound regret the sufferings and privations caused by the present coal strike both in Ayrshire and in other parts of Scotland, sufferings which have affected persons engaged in other employments as well as the miners themselves. The Board of Trade have been watching the progress of events with the hope of being able to intervene should a favourable moment arrive. They have at present no power to intervene against the wishes of either party, and regret that their powers have not been enlarged by the passing of the Conciliation Bill now before the House. Had I any reason to believe that any effort which the Board could make to bring about an amicable arrangement would have a reasonable prospect of success, the Board would gladly place their good offices at the disposal of the parties; but so far as I have been able to learn the circumstances do not as yet justify the attempt.
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)In what respect would the passing of the Conciliation Bill have enabled the right hon. Gentleman to intervene?
§ MR. BRYCEThe passing of the Conciliation Bill would have thrown a statutory duty on the Board of Trade of intervening and offering its good offices in a case of this kind, and it would have made it much easier to intervene than it is now.
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEYDoes the Bill say "may" or "shall"?
§ MR. J. WILSON (Lanark, Govan)Is it not possible to do anything in regard to what is nothing less than a national calamity?
§ MR. BRYCEMy hon. Friend has not overstated the misfortunes and distress which exist at present as being of the nature of a national calamity; but I am obliged to consider intervention with the probability of success. An attempt which is premature would probably do more harm than good, and if there is to be intervention it should be made at a moment when the prospect of success is greater.
§ MR. HARRY SMITH (, &c.) FalkirkI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the disastrous strike of the miners of Lanarkshire and other mining districts in Scotland, and the consequent privations and sufferings of many thousands of people, he will take steps to bring about a reconciliation between masters and men; and whether he will consider the expediency of the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the numerous vexed questions connected with the mining industry in Scotland, in order to prevent similar strikes in the future.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Government have no power, as already stated by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in answer to the previous question, to intervene against the wishes of either party; but if they had reason to believe that any efforts of theirs tending to prevent the continuance of this unfortunate dispute would have a reasonable prospect of success, they would be happy to place their good offices at the disposal of the parties. With regard to the second paragraph, I propose to introduce a Bill to amend the Coal Mines Regulation Act next Session, and hope that it may tend to prevent strikes, so far as that can be done by legislation.