§ 60. Mr. GEORGE BALFOURasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the engine-drivers and pump-men in the Yorkshire collieries are ready and anxious to work, and that they are forcibly prevented from returning to duty by members of their trade union; and what action he proposes to take to restore to the men referred to the right to return to work?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the engine-drivers and pump-men who are on strike in the Yorkshire coalfields have 1358 ceased work in pursuance of a decision arrived at by the council of the Yorkshire Miners' Association. I have no evidence as yet that the men in question are desirous of resuming work.
§ Mr. BALFOURIs the hon. Member aware that the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Casey) got his information from personal observation in the pits on Monday last?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have not received any information to that effect.
§ Mr. CASEYWill the right hon. Gentleman give protection to the engine-men and pump-men who have nothing to do with this dispute between the miners and the coal-owners and who want to continue working to keep the collieries in safety; will ho extend protection to these men who want to work and who are kept from working by threats of violence by men belonging to the unions; and will he withdraw the Navy men, who are absolutely unnecesary because the men who work these machines want to work them and the naval men are simply putting in black leg labour while the men are walking the streets and want to work?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Government have already made it perfectly clear, in the first place, that wherever any of the regular workmen are prepared to do their duty they will have ample protection; in the second place, they have also made it plain that wherever the regular workmen return to their duty in those cases the naval men will be withdrawn.
§ Mr. BALFOURWill the right hon. Gentleman give them protection in order to allow them to return to their work, be-cause they cannot get there from their homes at present?
§ Sir R. HORNECertainly that will be done wherever the information is given to me that protection is required. If the hon. Member for Attercliffe will give me the necessary information I shall be glad of an opportunity to discuss the matter with him.
Mr. TERRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a certain daily paper which has referred to these naval men who have been sent to help as naval blacklegs, and does he propose to take any action in connection with that matter?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the men sent from the Fleet to work the mining pumps are volunteers for that work; and why naval stokers are being used for this purpose instead of troops?
§ Mr. LONGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Naval stokers were selected owing to their technical knowledge of the work to be performed.
§ Sir D. MACLEANHas the Leader of the House any information he can give us with regard to the coal strike?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe present position of the mines in Yorkshire is as follows: Six collieries have been flooded. Seventeen are in danger owing to the withdrawal of winding enginemen, and the boiler fires, and some of them have even been put out by the strikers. At six collieries naval ratings have been asked for and have been set to work. The total number of naval ratings now employed to keep the mines free is 158. There has been no interference with the men who are giving this assistance. The strike is spreading in Derbyshire, and at two pits pumping has been stopped. These are reaching a condition of danger, and naval ratings are being sent to-day-to help in the pumping. In Lancashire and Nottingham the situation has not changed. In South Wales a, resolution has been adopted that the men are to remain at work pending negotiations with the Government regarding piece rates. A considerable number of men are, however, still on strike.
Mr. TERRELLIs not the strike in Yorkshire a strike authorised by the Yorkshire Miners' Association, and is it not in substance a strike against the nation, and under the circumstances, does the Government propose to allow the union to pay strike pay?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAll considerations of that kind are being taken into account by the Government. It is a fact that it was authorised by the Yorkshire Miners' Union but not by the Miners' Federation.
§ Mr. GRUNDYIs it a fact that the Prime Minister is meeting a deputation from the Federation to-morrow, and is it altogether wise that questions of this 1360 character should be put, because there is another side to the whole case, and it is not easy to place responsibility for the strike on anyone. In view of the fact, if it is a fact, that this meeting is to take place, I think the wisest thing we can do is to avoid discussion.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am sure the hon. Member will realise that every statement made by the Government has avoided any appearance of provocation. It is a fact that the Miners' Executive are meeting the Prime Minister and myself tomorrow.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe information is that they have generally been taken out.