HC Deb 30 March 1926 vol 193 cc1825-7
30. Mr. WHITELEY

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has anything to report regarding the further negotiations between the Consett collieries' workmen and the Consett Coal and Iron Company: and what steps he proposes to take to bring the dispute to an end?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Colonel Lane Fox)

I understand that a further meeting was held on 23rd March between the company and the local representatives of the workmen, at which a full discussion t of all questions at issue took place. and that it was arranged that the company's final offer should be submitted to the miners' lodges concerned. I have not yet heard what decision any of the lodges have reached, but in any case I cannot intervene except at the wish of both the Durham Miners' County Union and of the company, and, in view of the full discussions which have already taken place, it does not seem likely that any useful purpose could be served by my doing so.

Mr. BATEY

Are we to understand that the Minister proposes to do nothing, remembering that there are about 7,000 men who are still locked out by this company for a monstrous proposal of the company?

Mr. CONNOLLY

Can the Minister say how many points there are at issue between the owners and the men? Is it not the fact that there is only one point, namely, the want of an assurance that the men will not be victimised?

Colonel LANE FOX

No, Sir, I do not think that that is quite accurate. There is only one point at issue. A general assurance has been given that there will be no victimisation, but I understand that the men are not quite satisfied with the form of that. That is the only point, and I still hope that a settlement may be arrived at.

Mr. WHITELEY

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us some sort of assurance, because this dispute has been going on for 40 weeks, that, if there is no settlement within the next few days, he will endeavour to see that some form of definite guarantee is given?

Colonel LANE FOX

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, I have no power to enforce on either side, on either the men or the owners, any particular form of settlement. It must be a settlement arrived at by themselves. I can certainly help if they want help in arriving at a settlement, but I cannot enforce any particular form of settlement on either side.

Mr. BATEY

Is the Minister right in saying that the men have been given an assurance that there will be no victimisation, when all that the men are asking for is that the men who have been working there shall be started before strangers?

Colonel LANE FOX

I am perfectly accurate in saying that a general assurance has been given that there will be no victimisation.

Mr. R. RICHARDSON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that agreement up to a point has been come to, but that the very fact that the owners will not guarantee that these men shall be started before strangers is leading to the holding up of a settlement?

Colonel LANE FOX

No, Sir; I said a further point had arisen afterwards, but a general assurance had been given, with which the men are not quite satisfied. Whatever the circumstances, I cannot intervene unless both sides ask me to do so.

Mr. BECKETT rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

Colonel Day.

Mr. BECKETT

On a point of Order. This question very greatly affects several thousand—

Mr. SPEAKER

Any further questions should be put down.