§ Mr. MORGAN JONES (for Mr. G. HALL)asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the position of the coal-mining industry, especially in the exporting areas, the Government will expedite the financial assistance proposed in the Budget schemes or consider some immediate assistance to enable the industry to carry on?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained fully in the Budget Statement the reasons which led the Government to propose that the scheme for the relief of productive industry should not come into operation until October, 1929. For the rest, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson) on the 10th November last.
§ Mr. M. JONESIs the Prime Minister aware that there is a general opinion among the employers and employed in the South Wales coalfield that the condition of the industry is so hard that they cannot wait until October, 1929?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that certain deputations will wait upon me to give expression to that view.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the right bon. Gentleman aware that in November last, in reply to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson), he said that he was watching the situation, and are we to understand that he is still watching the situation and intending to do nothing?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to my answer with regard to the latter part of the question.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the sooner he 1510 confers these benefits on certain sections of the community the sooner he will add to the burden of other sections?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am obliged for the information.