§ 79. Mr. WALLHEADasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement regarding the position in the mining industry?
§ Mr. SHINWELLSo far as I have been able to ascertain, practically all pits in England and Wales are working this morning. In Scotland about 18 per cent, of the men are at work.
§ Mr. EBENEZER EDWARDSWhat steps are the Government taking to enforce Section 14 of the 1930 Act?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe position in that respect is receiving the careful consideration of the Government, and a statement will be made in the course of a few days.
Miss LEECan the hon. Gentleman state what steps the Government propose to take a relieve the hunger that will exist in the Scottish coalfield before the end of the first week of a stoppage
§ Mr. SHINWELLThe Conciliation Board in Scotland is meeting to-day, and it is not unlikely that a settlement will be reached.
Miss LEEPending a successful settlement, can the Secretary for Mines not give us some definite indication of what relief measures will be undertaken? We have been giving a subsidy to opera, and I hope the position of these miners will be remembered.
Miss LEEI put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that I am entitled to an answer from the Secretary for Mines.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Lady's question does not appear to have anything to do with the question on the Paper.
Miss LEEOn a point of Order. In his original reply, the Secretary for Mines said that the Scottish miners were out of work. I wish most respectfully to submit that it is relevant to his reply to ask what provision is going to be made to keep these men who are now out of work and whose position is very serious indeed.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have said that the hon. Lady's question does not appear to have anything to do with the question on the Paper, but, if the Secretary for Mines likes to answer it, I shall not prevent him.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYOn a point of Order. The original question asked whether the Secretary for Mines would make any statement regarding the position in the mining industry, and in reply to that statement—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have told the Secretary for Mines he may answer if he likes.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have no objection to answering the question at all. My answer is that at the moment it appears to me to be unwise to anticipate so unlikely a contingency.
§ Mr. HARDIEArising out of the original answer to the question, since the coalowners in Scotland have broken the law of 1930, will the miners—
§ Mr. HARDIEOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member's question does not arise out of the question on the Paper or out of the answer.
§ Mr. HARDIEWith all due respect, I submit that it arises directly out of the question and the answer.