§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON(by Private Notice) asked the Leader of the 1783 House whether he will give the House an opportunity of deciding the question of the payment of a subsidy to the miners out of public funds before any pledge is given outside this House in the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI cannot at present say whether the resumed conferences will lead to anything, but if it should appear that the terms of a permanent settlement had been reached between the owners and the miners, and that the only obstacle to the immediate resumption of work was the impossibility of carrying out the necessary reductions without some assistance from public funds, I hope that the House will not think it necessary so to fetter the discretion of the negotiating Ministers as to make a prolongation of the struggle unavoidable. In that case, I would bring the matter before the House on the earliest day possible.
I beg the House to remember that I have been asked a purely hypothetical question. There is really a good deal of difficulty and some danger in answering questions of the kind in relation to results of negotiations which have only just begun. Should the contingency arise in the course of this week, I should propose to bring the matter before the House on Friday next.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I ask whether the agricultural labourers will receive the same treatment?
§ Mr. WILSON-FOXWill the Government consider very carefully the manner in which any assistance is to be given, and take pains to limit that assistance to the smallest possible amount?
§ Mr. W. THORNEYou think you have them on their bellies, and wish to get them right down now.
§ Mr. LAWSONThe matter is not quite finished yet!