§ 9. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Home Secretary if he can now state the aggregate sum of money which has been received from Russia for the relief of the miners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAccording to the latest information in my possession, the total is £1,087,000.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan the Home Secretary say from what source this money is derived.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is derived from Russia.
§ Captain MACDONALDIs it a levy on the miners of Russia, or is it provided by the Russian Government?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is very difficult to say definitely, but the best information I have is that it was a levy which in certain circumstances is compulsory.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman give the authority upon which he makes that statement?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is made on information supplied to me, and it is certainly not usual to give the source of information supplied to Government Departments.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it customary for Ministers to make statements without being able to give the authority in regard to the affairs of any Government?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is customary for Ministers to answer questions which are put to them to the best of their power and information.
Commander WILLIAMSMay I ask what percentage of this money ever gets to the miners or their families?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the Home Secretary not aware that a good deal of money comes from other countries, and has there been the same objection to money coming from other countries as from Russia? [HON. MEMBERS: "From America?"] Yes, and from Germany, France and Belgium.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not taken any steps to prevent any of this money coming in from whatever source.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLIs it not a fact that the miners in Russia are working much longer hours than the miners in this country, and does the right hon. Gentleman think it advisable that blackleg money should come to this country to help the miners?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is argument.