§ 22. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that in many places in South Wales unemployed miners are unable to obtain coal for their own domestic use; and will he take action to remedy this?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Commodore Douglas King)I am not sure whether I correctly understand what the hon. Member has in mind, but, if he is referring to the free coal or coal at special prices which is supplied by colliery companies to their employés, I would remind him that, where this custom exists, it is an incident of employment, and cannot be enforced after the contract of employment has been terminated.
§ Sir R. THOMASDoes that mean that these poor, wretched men, owing to some rule or other, are not able to obtain coal for their wives and children?
§ Commodore KINGNo, Sir; I know of no case where miners are unable to obtain coal. I do know of cases where special arrangements have been made to enable them to get it, and, in other places, Where it is being provided at the local market rates.
§ Sir R. THOMASDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman state definitely in this House that these men in no case are deprived of obtaining coal?
§ Commodore KINGI do not understand what the hon. Member means by "deprived of obtaining coal." I am not aware of any case where they are unable to get it.
§ Sir R. THOMASDoes not that mean the same thing?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs it not the case, that, while miners who are employed do get domestic coal as part of the terms of employment, the question asked relates to unemployed miners?
§ Commodore KINGBoth the reply that I gave in the first place and my supplementary replies have dealt with that point.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf you have hundreds of miners unemployed, they cannot get the coal.