§ 29. Mr. JAMES BROWNasked the Secretary for Mines what steps he has taken to carry out the measures of re-organisation contemplated in the Mining Industry Act, 1926?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe Mining Industry Act, 1926, contains provisions on a number of different matters, and the principal of them automatically came into force as soon as the Act became law, providing fresh facilities for removing obstacles to the successful working of coal, varying the terms of leases, arranging amalgamations, supplying pithead baths, etc. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question specifying those sections which did not come automatically into force in regard to which he requires information.
§ Colonel LANE FOXThat will automatically come into effect, and there is no need for the Government to put it into operation.
§ Mr. BATEYWas it not part of the Act that re-organisation should take place within three years? Has any re-organisation taken place up to the present?
§ Colonel LANE FOXA good deal has taken place. It is a matter that is dealt with by the industry itself and not by the Government, which is not in charge of the coal industry.
§ Mr. PALINGWas not one of the matters of re-organisation the question of amalgamation? Is it not a fact that only two amalgamations have taken place and that in both cases they were considered even before the Act was put into operation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestions on a specific point should be put on the Paper.