Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked whether the Prime Minister is aware that the action taken by the Miners' Federation in regard to the present coal dispute has involved a breach of certain existing agreements between coalowners and their employés in Wales; and, if so, whether any future legislation providing for the payment of a minimum wage will embody adequate safeguards for the due observance of any further agreements of this nature by providing for payment of damages arising from breach of the same to be made from the funds of the trade union societies concerned?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not think any good purpose would be served by making any pronouncement upon a question of this character at the present time.
§ Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that only days divide hundreds of thousands of people from starvation, whether he can assure the House that the Government have well-grounded hopes of an early settlement of the crisis, and, if not, whether he can say when the Government will take action to enforce what is undoubtedly the will of the nation?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can add nothing to the statements already made on the subject by the Prime Minister.