HC Deb 30 June 1931 vol 254 cc1054-5
41. Miss LEE

asked the Secretary for Mines if he can give any information regarding the recent stoppage of seven pits, employing 2,000 men, in the Shotts area of Lanarkshire?

Mr. SHINWELL

I have made inquiries, and I understand that some of the pits of the Shotts Iron Company are working short time. It is clear that for Scotland as a whole the permitted output for the June quarter is considerably in excess of demand, and that it has been possible during the quarter to buy large quantities of quota tonnage at nominal prices. The Shotts Iron Company has purchased additional quota tonnage and has also secured an increased standard tonnage on appeal to arbitration. From such figures as I have been able to obtain it would appear that, by these means, the undertaking has obtained a permitted output approximating to the tonnage claimed. It would, therefore, be fair to conclude that the short time working in this case is in the main due to want of trade.

Miss LEE

Is the Secretary for Mines aware that this company made a statement that what has happened was due to the working of the quota system? If we understand from his reply that that is not so, is it possible to take any action to deal with companies that know the reasons for stoppages and yet make such unwarranted statements?

Mr. SHINWELL

I am aware that almost everything that happens in the coal industry is blamed on to the quota, but those who attribute them to the quota are quite misinformed. As regards the latter part of the supplementary question, I have no power to do what the hon. Lady asks.

Sir W. BRASS

Does the hon. Gentleman deny that this has anything to do with the quota?

Mr. SHINWELL

I have already said that is has nothing to do with the quota system, but is a consequence of bad trade.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Will the Minister say definitely whether these 2,000 men have been thrown out as a result of the quota or not?

Mr. SHINWELL

I have already said it has nothing to do with the quota. If hon. Members will compare the figures of the standard tonnage obtained from the Scottish pits with the demand, they will see at once that the quota has nothing to do with it.

Mr. E. BROWN

Does not the Minister agree that if there had been no such system this company might have had an assured market and have been able to sell much more of their tonnage?