HC Deb 21 July 1915 vol 73 c1500
Mr. HODGE

Has the Prime Minister any information as to the present position in regard to the coal stoppage in South Wales?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have received a telegram sent at a quarter to two this afternoon from Cardiff, and signed by the Minister of Munitions and the President of the Board of Trade, in these terms:— Miners' Conference have decided to recommend their men to return to work forthwith, and urge their men to make up for lost time. The solution of the deadlock was rendered possible on the lines of agreement rather than of coercion by the public spirited action of the coal owners, who placed themselves unreservedly in the Government's hands, for the purpose of securing a peaceful and reasonable settlement immediately.

Mr. HUGH EDWARDS

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that over 50,000 South Wales miners have joined the Colours since the outbreak of war, he, as the head of the Government, will associate himself with the protest against the base and malicious insinuation which has been made that this strike was in any way instigated by German influence?

The PRIME MINISTER

As far as I know, there is no foundation whatever for that.