HC Deb 30 May 1921 vol 142 cc560-1
25. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the wide powers given to the Government in the Emergency Regulations passed, by this House on 4th May; that if and when the property mentioned in (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of Regulation 13 is taken over by the Government it will be possible to make arrangements with the Miners' Federation and enable the Government to pay the miners the wages demanded, thereby putting an end to the present lock-out: and whether he is prepared to advise the Government to put Regulation 13 into operation at once?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on the 9th of May.

Mr. THORNE

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that putting this Regulation into operation will avoid all trouble?

Colonel GREIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Regulation be put into operation, it will apply compulsory labour to the mines?

Mr. THORNE

Rubbish!

Mr. J. JONES

What about compulsory arbitration?