47. Mr. R. SMITHasked the Prime Minister if the Government hold the view that a settlement of the present mining dispute is still to be had on the Commission's Report if the miners would accept it as interpreted by Sir Herbert Samuel in his memorandum?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe settlement of this dispute, as I have reminded this House on previous occasions, must depend primarily and mainly upon agreement being reached between the mine-owners and their employés, and the only answer that I can give to a hypothetical question of this character is that, if the miners submit any possible basis of agreement for meeting the existing conditions of the industry—whether on the lines of the Royal Commission's Report or in any other way—I have no doubt that it would receive the fullest consideration from the mineowners as well as from the Government.
Mr. SMITHIn view of the important statement which the Prime Minister made at the conclusion of his speech last week, will he answer the question in the terms I have suggested, so that we may know definitely what he means?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the reply gives a perfectly satisfactory answer. The moment any communication is received from those who have authority to speak, it will be considered.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the Prime Minister tell the House whether the mine-owners have as yet expressed their willingness to go back to the Report, and to accept its recommendation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have had no communications with them for a long time therefore I cannot say.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the Prime Minister tell the House why all his questions are directed to the miners accepting or otherwise the recommendations of the Report, when the mine-owners are equally involved?
§ Mr. SUTTONMay I ask the Prime Minister, seeing that he stated in this House that the coalowners and the miners are unable to settle this matter 2257 and that only the Government can settle it, whether he does not think it is time the Government began to settle the dispute on the lines of the Report of the Royal Commission?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government did their best to settle, but were not successful in their efforts. I do not think I ever said that the Government alone could settle the dispute. The Government cannot settle in the absence of agreement on both sides.
§ Mr. SUTTONIs the Prime Minister not aware that, a few weeks ago, when he made his statement in this House, he admitted that this matter could not be settled by the two sides, and that they as a Government would have to settle it? Will he do so on the lines of the Report of the Royal Commission?
§ Mr. BATEYis the Prime Minister aware that the Durham coalowners published their terms yesterday, which mean an increase in the hours of the coal hewers of from one to two hours, and in the hours of the surface workers, two hours, and a reduction of percentage from 110 per cent. to 89 per cent.—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put that question on the Paper.