§ 29. Mr. FREDERICK GOULDasked the Secretary for Mines whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain colliery owners in the Somerset coalfield are refusing to comply with the terms of the new national agreement; and, in view of the owners' threat to close certain of these mines, what steps he proposes to take to save this possible loss of employment, coal, and capital to the nation?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)I understand that the Mining Association and Miners' Federation are jointly making every effort to secure due observance of the terms of the wages agreement; and that a meeting is being held this afternoon between representatives of owners and workpeople in Somerset to discuss the difficulties that have arisen in that district, and, I hope, to remove them.
§ Mr. AYLESDoes that conference which is taking place this afternoon also apply to the Bristol coalfield, which is equally suffering from the trouble mentioned in the question?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI understand that the question of the difficulty in the Bristol district is also a subject of discussion.
§ Mr. GOULDWill the Department which the hon. Member represents, or some representative on his behalf, be attending that conference?
§ Mr. SHINWELLNo. This is a conference between the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation, and it would serve no useful purpose to intervene.