§ 11. Mr. MARTINasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any information as to the result of the delegate conference of the Miners' Federation which discussed the question of national wage agreements; and whether he is obtaining guarantees from the owners similar to those obtained a year ago or whether he intends to bring in legislation to deal with the situation?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)I have no information about the conference apart from the official statement issued to the Press at the close of the proceedings, which my hon. Friend has no doubt seen. With regard to the second part of the question, I am exploring the possibility of getting assurances regarding the wage situation when the present guarantees of minimum wages expire, but I am not able to make any statement at present. There is no present intention of introducing legislation.
§ Mr. MARTINCan the hon. Member say when he is likely to have any information to give the House on this matter in view of the statements made by the miners' representatives?
Mrs. WARDCan the Secretary for Mines say whether the activities of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission are having a prejudicial effect on wages agreements?