§ 6. Major BEAUMONT THOMASasked the Secretary for Mines whether the Government have yet come to any decision with regard to the operation of the seven-hours day after 8th July?
§ 10. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary for Mines if he can now state what are the intentions of the Government in regard to 782 legislation affecting the hours of labour underground in coal mines?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)My hon. Friend regrets that he cannot as yet add anything to the answers previously given to questions on this subject. Discussions are still proceeding between the Government, the Mining Association, and the Miners' Federation, and no stone is being left unturned in the endeavour to find a satisfactory solution to the problem as a whole.
§ 11. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary for Mines in how many districts coal miners are working on spread-over agreements as to hours which have not been sanctioned by the Miners' Federation of Great Britain?
§ Mr. GRAHAMPractically speaking, such working is confined to two districts, Scotland and part of North Wales; though my hon. Friend has been notified of two isolated cases in other districts.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDo the Government condone the illegalities——
§ Mr. SPEAKERrose——
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the case that it is the Miners' Federation that is prohibiting the spread-over in Scotland, and will the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the Miners' Federation allow the Scottish miners to have Home Rule in this matter?