§ 46. Mr. REMERasked the Prime Minister if he can give an assurance that under no circumstances will the coal subsidy be continued after May?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINUntil the Royal Commission's Report has been received and considered my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make any statement as to the future of the coal industry.
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman any information when the Coal Commission will issue their Report?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. I have none. I do not know whether my right hon. Friend has.
Mr. THOMASMay we take it that any statement to the contrary by a Minister of the Government is without authority?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot believe that any of my colleagues could, even in a moment of forgetfulness, make a statement that would contradict what I have said on the authority of the Prime Minister.
Mr. THOMASWould the right hon. Gentleman look into some of the incapable utterances of his colleagues?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have a good deal to do!
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn spite of the pre-occupations of the Foreign Minister, may I invite him to look into a statement recently made by the Home Secretary that "under no circumstances will the subsidy be continued after May"?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)May I, Mr. Speaker, answer that last observation? I invite the hon. and gallant Gentleman to quote my speech accurately.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThat is impossible.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe word, I think, used by the Minister was "unthinkable."
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSTo please the hon. and gallant Gentleman I will send him a verbatim report of my speech.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODEven a verbatim report would not be accurate.