§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Home Secretary whether application to receive a deputation was made on behalf of women workers at the pit brow in connection with the Coal Mines Bill; and whether he will explain why arrangements were not made for receiving such deputation, or for taking evidence on behalf of 1353 women workers on the subject, before an Amendment was proposed to the Bill in Committee excluding all women and girls other than those employed on or before 1st January, 1911, from employment above ground on any mine?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, Sir, an application that a deputation might be received was made and acceded to, but it was made only a very few days before the Amendment of the hon. Member for the Mansfield Division was reached in Committee, and it was, unfortunately, not possible for my hon. Friend the Undersecretary of State to see the deputation until after the discussion in the Committee. As the Bill was before a Standing Committee, there was, of course, no opportunity for evidence to be taken on the subject. The question, which cannot be regarded as settled, will come up again on the Report stage of the Bill.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNESeeing that when the deputation was received the hon. Member for Bethnal Green stated, on behalf of the Home Secretary, that the Government did not approve of this Amendment, will the right hon. Gentleman see that when the matter does come up again the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Markham) and others who carried the Amendment on that side toe the line?