§ Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister whether he can state what progress the Government has made towards a settlement of the present crisis; and what steps, if any, have been taken to safeguard the employment and livelihood of those not immediately concerned in the present dispute?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith regard to the first part of the question, I can add nothing to my statements in the House and to what has appeared in the Press. With regard to the second part, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given to the Noble Lord the Member for the Newton Division of Lancashire.
§ Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will introduce legislation empowering the Board of Trade to ascertain whether the miners of Great Britain really wish a continuance of this strike, either by means of a secret ballot or by any other means the Government might approve?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a question of which the hon. Gentleman should give notice.