§ 57. Colonel APPLINasked the Secretary for Mines if he will give instructions to the financial department of the Miners' Welfare Fund to abstain from putting pressure for the payment of the welfare levy on those collieries which are struggling to employ their men in spite of financial loss, in view of the balance in hand of £2,261,395, of which £1,627,365 was unappropriated on 31st May last?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)I regret that, in view of my statutory obligations, I cannot give any general instructions of the kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend, but I can assure him that sympathetic consideration is being, and will continue to be given to individual cases in which my Department is satisfied, after inquiry, that insistence on the immediate payment of the full amount would involve the undertakings concerned in serious financial difficulties.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman also make application to the royalty owners to give relief as well?
§ Mr. BATEYAre we to understand from the hon. and gallant Gentleman's reply that he said the colliery owners need not pay unless they wish?
§ Commodore KINGNo, I do not think anyone could read that into my reply.