§ 28. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary for Mines what amounts are still outstanding in connection with the coal 1320 control period; the firms from whom payment is due; and whether he is pressing for payment?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)The amounts outstanding under the several Acts at 31st March last were estimated to be approximately £676,000 due from owners, and £1,693,000 payable to owners. I am not prepared to give the information asked for in the second part of the question. Special arrangements were inaugurated in September last, by which it is hoped to secure the settlement of the outstanding claims by the end of the present financial year.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these claims have been outstanding since 1918, and is it not time that his Accountancy Department obtained a settlement of them?
§ Commodore KINGThe hon. Member may be technically correct, in saying that they have been outstanding for a considerable period, but in many cases the claims have only recently, even if they have yet, been definitely settled. It takes a long time to settle them.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not a fact that the Department is not pressing certain colliery undertakings for settlement?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; all possible pressure is brought to bear, but there is such a mass of figures that, as I have said, they take a long time to go into.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONAre the collieries pressing for a settlement from the Government?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs interest being charged on amounts outstanding?
§ Mr. HOPKINSONOn both sides?
§ Commodore KINGI could not answer that question without notice.