§ 48. Mr. CAPEasked the Prime Minister whether the appeal by Earl Haig, in connection with the coal strike, has been issued at public expense; what is the expenditure involved in this and other publicity for the Government case; and whether a special tax is to be levied on coal owners to meet these costs, or whether the general public is to bear the cost of their defence?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have been asked to reply. The appeal by Earl Haig has not been issued at the public expense. The expense incidental to the publicity which the Government consider desirable to undertake in the public interest will be paid for out of public funds. Such publicity is not undertaken in defence of the coal owners, but of the community at large.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the minds of a very large number of organised workers of this country, the appeal issued by Earl Haig is an incitement to people to blackleg the miners?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am not responsible for the message, but I have seen it, and I cannot conceive how any reasonable person could put such a construction on it.
§ Mr. W. THORNEI do, anyhow.