§ 61. Mr. BARKERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the distress existing in the coal-mining industry, due to the fact that wages are very much below the rate paid in 1914, compared with the purchasing value of money in 1914 and 1922, and that tens of thousands of miners have been unemployed for over 18 months, he will, in the light of these experiences under the system of private ownership and control of the industry, bring in legislation for the nationalisation of the mines and the State ownership of minerals, as recommended by the Coalmining Industry Commission appointed by the late Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I am not prepared to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. BARKERWas not that the suggestion of the Sankey Commission, and not my suggestion; and have not the Government pledged themselves to carry out the Sankey Report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member, I think, is wrong in a matter of detail. What I am answering is his suggestion that something should be done.
§ Mr. LUNNIs it not the fact that in the King's Speech in 1920 the Government expressed the intention to nationalise the minerals, was not the right hon. Gentleman a member of the Government at that time, and will he, now that he is the head of the Government, carry out the suggestion that he was prepared to support in 1920?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the fact that, at the time the Sankey Report was presented to this House, the right hon. Gentleman himself said that it would be carried out both in the letter and in the spirit?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member's memory may be pretty good, 1988 but it is not good enough. That referred, not to the Report as a whole, but to certain definite recommendations made in it.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs it a fact that neither in letter nor in spirit have the Government fulfilled the promises made which have already been referred to?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere has been difference of opinion on that subject.