HC Deb 17 March 1920 vol 126 cc2192-3
33. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Labour whether any Indus trial Council exists in the lead and zincmining industry; if not, whether he will avail himself of Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act to institute an inquiry into the recent rises of lead from £37 per ton in November to over £50 per ton (English pig) to-day, and the relation this advanced price bears to the wages of lead miners; and whether, as spelter has advanced in a similar period from about £46 per ton to an average of about £60 per ton, he will extend the inquiry into the remuneration of blend miners, and, if possible, form an Industrial Council for these two industries?

Sir R. HORNE

No Joint Industrial Council exists for either of the industries, though there is an Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee for the Non-ferrous Mines Industry, which is primarily connected with lead and zinc mining.

As I have previously ventured to point out to the hon. Member, an inquiry into the economic position of non-ferrous mining in this country is already being conducted, and a concurrent inquiry on this subject is accordingly unnecessary and inadvisable.