§ 78. Mr. GOULDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the actual number of officials, experts and staff, employed in the Department of the Coal Controller and the cost of the Department for the ten months ending 31st October last; the number of fuel inspectors arid other officials employed throughout the country whose salaries are paid either wholly or in part by local bodies; the aggregate amount of salaries so paid and any other maintenance charges, whether borne by the Department of the Coal Controller or any local authority; the cost to the nation of the Coal Controller's Department per ton of coal produced during the period 1st January, 1919, to 31st October, in 1919; and the cost to the State of the statistical branch of the Coal Controller's Department?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIn reply to the first part of the question, the actual number of officials, experts and staff employed in the Coal Mines Department on the 31st October was 859, and the cost for the ten months ending 31st October was £121,900. 1631 With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I cannot add to the information which I gave to the hon. Member for the South-Eastern Division of St. Pan-cras on Monday last week. The cost of the Department per ton of coal produced for the period in question was approximately one halfpenny. The expenditure incurred on the statistical work of the Department is at the rate of £13,200 per annum.
§ Mr. BRACEMay I ask the Leader of the House if, in face of the grave dissatisfaction which exists, both in this House and in the country, in connection with the entire working of the Coal Control Department, he is now prepared to grant a Select Committee of this House to investigate and report, upon the widest terms of reference, so that we may really know what is the state of affairs in connection with this Coal Control Department and how its work is done?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not prepared to accede to the request of my right hon. Friend. As the House knows, an accountant is now at work on the question of figures, and I am sure that that part of the subject can much better be dealt with in that way than by any Committee. On the other hand, I have received notice from my right hon. Friend opposite (Mr. Adam-son) asking for a discussion of the coal question on Friday. Perhaps I may answer his question in advance, and say that I am prepared to give it, in view of the very evident misunderstanding of the whole position, and I think it would be better to wait for that discussion before pressing the matter further.
§ Mr. ADAMSONDo I understand that the discussion will be on Friday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes. I am sorry to anticipate my right hon. Friend's question, which was whether we could give a day for discussion immediately. I am satisfied that there is so much misapprehension as to what the statement of my right hon. Friend (Sir A. Geddes) yesterday meant, that it will be a decided advantage to have a discussion on Friday.
§ Mr. ADAMSONThe whole day on Friday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes.
§ Mr. CLEMENT EDWARDS. May I ask whether it is possible, for the purpose of the discussion on Friday, that this House may be supplied with the Financial State- 1632 ment and Report which, according to the Coal Agreement Continuation Act, 1917–18, ought to be prepared as up to the 31st March last, but which has not yet seen the light of day?
§ Brigadier-General PAGE CROFTWill it be competent for hon. Members to discuss the question of limited profits in the same Debate?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think not.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask what course the Debate will take? Will there be a statement by the Government, or a Motion for Adjournment?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think the easiest way would be on the Motion for Adjournment. Whether the Government will begin, or will wait for some criticism, is a matter for consideration. As regards the question of the hon. Member for East Ham (Mr. Edwards), it will not, I hope, be discussed then, because a suitable time for discussing it will be on the Bill.
§ Mr. BRACEMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman could not arrange for the Debate to take a different form, rather than that it should be on the Motion for Adjournment? I would much prefer, and I am certain my colleagues would prefer, that we should have a clean-cut Motion, which, if the reply of the Government is not satisfactory, would enable us to divide the House.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCould it not be on a Motion to appoint a Select Committee, such as was suggested by my right hon. Friend (Mr. Brace)?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is not so simple. That would really be a Vote of Censure on the Government. If my right hon. Friend wishes that form, I am, of course, willing to have it.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYou can divide on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. EDWARDSMay I ask for a reply to my supplementary question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo such statement of that kind is available.
§ Lord HUGH CECILWhen will the accountant's statement be ready?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs my Noble Friend knows, he is now at work, but I cannot say whether he will take days or weeks.
§ Lord H. CECILIt will not be ready before Friday?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, not before Friday.
§ Mr. EDWARDSWhen may Parliament expect that statement and that Report, which it is provided by Statute is to be prepared up to the end of the financial year, which ended on 31st of March last?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWClearly neither I nor my right hon. Friend can give an answer to that question without notice, but if it is put down, an answer will be given.