§ 26. Mr. GEORGE HALLasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Somerset colliery owners have refused to allow the joint district accountants to furnish the workmen of that coalfield with any figures as to costs of production other than the mere percentage figures shown in the district ascertainments; and will he in the future give in the quarterly statement issued by his Department the figures for the Somerset coalfield separately from any of the other districts as was done previous to May, 1926?
§ Commodore KINGI am aware of the circumstances referred to in the first part of the question, and am in communication with the Somerset Colliery Owners' Association on the subject. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 22nd March to the hon. Member for Workington (Mr. Cape). I may however, that, at the request of the Somerset Miners' Association, I had already supplied them, for each quarter of 1927, with the figures for the Somerset district, collected by my Department for the purposes of the Quarterly Statistical Summaries presented to Parliament.
§ Mr. PALINGAre we to understand that the hon. and gallant Gentleman is using his influence with the Somerset coal-owners in order to induce them to give these facilities to the joint accountants?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; it must not be understood that I am using any influence. The figures have been provided for the joint auditors, and they have had access to them.