HC Deb 31 March 1927 vol 204 cc1414-6
46. Mr. WHITELEY

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the disclosures which have been made regarding the method of underground transport of coal in the Somerset coalfield and the physical injury and indignity inflicted thereby, the Government will give facilities for the further stages of the Coal Mines (Abolition of Wheelless Tubs) Bill?

The PRIME MINISTER

I see no prospect at present of special facilities being given for any Private Bill.

Mr. WHITELEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is only in the county of Staffordshire, I think, and in two collieries in Wales where this system prevails—

The PRIME MINISTER

In Somerset.

Mr. WHITELEY

I beg pardon, I should have said only in Somersetshire and two counties in Wales. As there is a private Bill down, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to instruct Members of his own party not to take exception to that Bill and to give it an opportunity of going to Committee.

Mr. G. PETO

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no demand whatever from Somerset for this Measure?

HON. MEMBERS

Yes, there is!

The PRIME MINISTER

In answer to the first Supplementary Question about giving facilities for a private Member's Bill, the first business of the Leader of the House, who is responsible for business, is to get the public business through. It is quite impossible, as the House can see from this Question, to say now whether any facilities can be given during this Session for any private Member's Bill—I draw no distinction between them—and on that, I can say nothing further to-day. In regard to the Bill in question, I would only say this, that the Supplementary Question which was put by my right hon. Friend the Member for Frome (Mr. G. Peto) coincides with such facts as have come to my notice, and I think that, even if there were a possibility of finding time for this Bill, an inquiry ought to be held first into the question, and I am considering now, in view of the interest which this matter has aroused, whether that would be the proper procedure to take.

Mr. LOOKER

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that all private Member's Bills which have not yet received a Second Reading are doomed?

Mr. WHITELEY

I am prepared to accept the right hon. Gentleman's answer.