§ 9. Mr. CAPEasked the Secretary for Mines the position in respect of the discussions between the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation; and what action, if any, is being taken by the Government to bring the discussion to a successful issue?
§ Dr. BURGINI understand that a preliminary meeting has been held, and that discussions will be resumed after the National Conference of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain on the 1st March, on a date mutually convenient.
§ Mr. GORDON MACDONALDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the coal-owners refused to discuss the question of wages at the previous meeting, and that our attitude is that at future meetings that question should be raised?
§ Dr. BURGINI think it would be well that I should not, in question and answer, say very much more, when negotiations are proceeding.
§ Mr. CAPEIf a deputation is to meet the coalowners after the miners' conference, are we to understand that it is going to be a meeting to discuss wages and the future machinery for settlement of wages?
§ Dr. BURGINI do not think that anything of the kind must be understood. The answer I have given, which has been prepared in my colleague's Department for him, means what it says, namely, that the discussions will be resumed after the 1st March on a date convenient to both sides.
§ Mr. MACDONALDHas a communication been received by the Department informing the Department that negotiations have broken down between the owners and the men?
§ Dr. BURGINNo, Sir, I have no such information.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONWill the lion. Gentleman convey to the Secretary for Mines the desirability of some indication of Government policy, in order to stabilise the situation?