§ 46. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the surplus labour in mining areas, the Government will carefully consider the possibility of raising the school age in those areas, of providing for the earlier superannuation of miners over 60 years of age, of encouraging the employment of mine workers in coal bye-product processes, and of expediting the housing schemes in districts where the housing shortage is a serious obstacle in the mobility of labour?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAll these aspects of the problem have already engaged the attention of the Government, but it would not be possible within the short compass of an answer to a Parliamentary question to discuss the merits or practicability of my Noble Friend's suggestions.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKHas the right hon. Gentleman read the letter of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carmarthen (Sir A. Mond) in yesterday's "Times," in which he stated that the Government could no longer remain aloof and indifferent to the serious crisis in the mining areas?
§ Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRAs the right hon. Gentleman will not give an answer to this question at Question Time, could he see his way to give an answer in, the course of Debate?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSMay I ask the Prime Minister, in view of the answer given by his right hon. and gallant Friend, whether he does not think now that it becomes his plain duty to do something towards solving the mining problem. Has he no statement to make?
§ Mr. WESTWOODAre we to understand from the Prime Minister's first answer and his refusal to answer the supplementary question, that it is the seriousness of the mining situation that has made him speechless on so many occasions?