§ 23. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary for Mines if he is yet in a position to state the full terms of the coal-marketing scheme recently set up by the coal owners in the Midland counties?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir, I am advised that the terms of this scheme are not finally settled.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the secretary for Mines aware that, in anticipation of the application of this scheme, miners all over South Yorkshire have been put on short time or dismissed?
§ Commodore KINGI think that subject is dealt with in the next question.
§ Mr. PALINGMay we take it that when this scheme is finally settled the Department will issue the terms?
§ Commodore KINGCertainly I expect the terms will be issued.
§ 24. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary for Mines the number of miners dismissed from the collieries in the Midland counties as a result of the operation of the new coal marketing scheme?
§ Commodore KINGAs this scheme is not in operation, this question does not arise.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the Secretary for Mines aware that, although the scheme has not been fully settled, many of the collieries have partly adopted it, and is he not aware that in a few months as a result in five Exchanges round about Doncaster the number of unemployed rose from 3,000 to over 8,000?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir, I cannot understand how that can be affected by a scheme, the details of which have not been settled.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that, although the scheme has not been finally settled, it has been partly put into operation, and that what I have just stated is the first result of it?
§ Commodore KINGI cannot understand how the scheme can be put into operation when it has not yet been definitely settled.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONIs the Secretary for Mines aware that the number of men going on short time is nothing at present compared with what it will be when the whole of the Samuel Report is adopted?