§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, seeing that owing to the uncertainty as to whether His Majesty's Government will find time to pass an Eight Hours Mines Bill this session considerable unrest prevails among the miners, and that merchants decline to make new coal contracts over next year both for Home and export consumption, he will say if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to pass a Bill of this character during this session; and, if he cannot find time, whether he will ask the House to meet in the autumn to deal with this measure.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI can hardly give a definite Answer to my hon. friend. The time required for passing a Bill of this sort will depend, of course, upon its reception when presented to the House.
§ MR. MARKHAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are in this House a large number of Members connected with the mining industry, representing both employers and employed, and would it not therefore be possible for 243 this House to deal with the whole Question without taking further evidence.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThat does not arise out of the Question on the Paper. Perhaps the hon. Member will give notice of it.