HC Deb 20 June 1933 vol 279 cc622-3
5. Mrs. WARD

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is now able to state what will be the position of the collieries in the Cannock Chase coalfield that will be left outside the proposed amalgamation scheme of the Coal Mines Re-organisation Commission?

Mr. E. BROWN

I presume that any collieries that are not amalgamated will remain as they are now, but if the hon. Lady would care to place before me any particular points about which she is concerned, I will be happy to bring them to the notice of the Commission.

Mrs. WARD

May I ask my hon. Friend how many mines will be left outside the scheme?

Mr. BROWN

If my hon. Friend will let me know whether she wants to know about mines or undertakings I shall be glad to try to find out.

Mrs. WARD

Mines, Sir.

7. Mrs. WARD

asked the Secretary for Mines if any agreement on wages has yet been reached in the Cannock Chase coalfield; and, if so, how far does the proposed amalgamation scheme of the Coal Mines Re-organisation Commission affect the agreement?

Mr. E. BROWN

I understand that there is at present no formal wage agreement in this district. The arrangement upon which they are working is a verbal one. With regard to the second part of the question, wages are entirely a matter for settlement between the two sides in the industry, and I am not able to appreciate that the proposals of the Reorganisation Commission have any bearing upon the question of a wages agreement.

Mrs. WARD

Is my hon. Friend aware that difficulties have been experienced in the district?

Mr. BROWN

I am not aware of any reason why there should be any difficulties, and, if the hon. Lady can inform me about them, I shall be glad to pass that information on to the Commission.