Miss LEE(by private Notice) asked the Secretary for Mines whether he could give any information regarding the stoppage of seven pits employing 2,000 men in the Shotts area of Lanarkshire?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)I regret that in the short time at my disposal since my hon. Friend announced her intention to put this question it has not been possible to ascertain the facts. If my hon. Friend will put a question on the Paper, I will endeavour to answer it.
Miss LEEIn thanking the Secretary for Mines for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that a public statement has been made by the Coltness Iron and Coal Company that the reason for the stoppage was the working of the quota system? Will the Secretary for Mines issue an official reply to that statement?
§ Mr. SHINWELLCertainly, when we have investgiated the causes of this stoppage and have ascertained whether there is any truth in the allegation made by the company.