§ 25. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give details of the result of the experiment now being tested of the working of certain coal mines upon an agreed co-operative basis; and, if the experiments are successful, will he institute inquiries if similar principles can be recommended to some of the owners and employés of many other pits now closed?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI have no information on this subject beyond that which has appeared in the Press, except of the arrangement at Vauxhall Colliery, particulars of which I gave in a reply to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on 17th March. I do not think that Government action on the lines suggested would be expedient or helpful.
§ Sir W. SUGDENWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman endeavour to engage in similar co-operative experiments to those that are obtaining in Germany and Austria and in other parts of Europe, and apply the lessons gained there to our own country, giving both employers and employés full opportunity?
§ Colonel LANE-FOXI am certainly looking out for any co-operative developments in foreign countries, and, if useful, will gladly draw the attention of our people to them.