§ 50. Mr. WADSWORTHasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act, 1912, many of the collieries are benefiting by the extra charges that are being put 2074 upon coal; that many of the men are not being properly treated, and in some instances are having their wages reduced; and whether he is prepared to appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate the whole of the circumstances and report to the House of Commons?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPrices of coal have no doubt risen since the passing of the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act. If there have been any cases of reduction of wages below the minimum fixed in pursuance of the Act, the remedy appears to lie with the Law Courts on an application to enforce the provisions of the Act. I do not think it necessary at present to appoint a committee to inquire into and report upon the working of the Act. As my hon. Friend is aware, the first rules and rates settled under the Act were only to last for one year, and in some cases they will shortly be revised. In such revision any changes of circumstance will naturally be taken into account.
§ Mr. WADSWORTHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of colliery owners have paid the minimum wage from the first day of the work, and, on the other hand, a large number of colliery owners refused to pay the minimum wage from the first day?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid the only remedy for that is in the Courts.
§ Mr. WADSWORTHDid not the right hon Gentleman state that it was really retrospective from the beginning of the work?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, that is right.