§ 54. Brigadier-General SURTEESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great interest now being taken in the proposal to nationalise the coal mines and the necessity of furnishing the public with the latest and most accurate information, and also in view of the Report of the Sankey Commission, he will issue a White Paper showing the countries where State ownership is now in operation and how long it has been so; the rates of wages, hours of labour, and cost of coal to the public in such countries; the latest available information concerning the German State-owned mines; and if the individual miner enjoys as much liberty under such a system as he does in the case of privately-owned mines or the public derive as much benefit?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, with a view to furnishing the information as to the facts to which he refers so far as they can be ascertained.
§ Mr. LAWSONWill the right hon. Gentleman also publish in the White Paper the fact that the Government have granted twenty-six millions per year to the coalowners as against a pre-war 1273 profit of thirteen millions, and have also relieved them of the cost of the Coal Control Department to the extent of £750,000?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not promised to lay any White Paper. I have promised to consider it, and if we do, it will contain facts only and not opinions. I may say in my judgment the statement which the hon. Member has just made is an opinion, and very much the reverse of the fact.