§ 13. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the Coal Mines National Industrial Board, seeing that in a recent industrial dispute the coalowners refused to accept the decision the board arrived at; and what steps he proposes to take to make it more effective?
§ Mr. E. BROWNAs the hon. Member is aware, both I and my predecessors in 187 office have done our best to secure the co-operation of the coalowners in making the board an effective instrument within the limits prescribed in the Act, but so far without success. I would remind the hon. Member, however, that it was never intended that the board's findings should carry any compulsory power, and that in certain cases the workmen themselves have declined to accept them. The board as constituted must depend for its effectiveness upon voluntary co-operation by all concerned, and I can at present see no way of securing such co-operation.
§ Mr. BATEYSeeing that the coal-owners continue to refuse to attend this board, does not the Minister consider the time has come when fresh legislation should be introduced to compel them to do so?
§ Mr. BROWNAs I have informed the House on many occasions, I see no halfway between this and compulsory arbitration, and that would not be acceptable to either party?
§ Mr. TINKERHas the hon. Gentleman received a communication from the Chairman of the board expressing his dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. BATEYWill the Minister say upon what authority he makes the statement that the miners would not agree to a compulsory board?
§ Mr. BROWNI did not say that. What I did say was that on one or two occasions there had been decisions which the workmen would not accept, and that is a fact.
§ Mr. GEORGE GRIFFITHSCould the hon. Gentleman say what was the reply of the Chairman?