HC Deb 20 December 1934 vol 296 c1337
74. Mr. MARTIN

asked the Secretary for Mines whether the Central Council of Coalowners has yet put forward any proposals designed to prevent evasions of the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, other than such prevention as may be achieved by co-ordination of minimum prices and separation of inland and export quotas?

The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Ernest Brown)

No, Sir.

Mr. MARTIN

If the Secretary for Mines wishes to carry out the provisions of that part of the Mines Act, is it not essential that something should be done to prevent the evasion which we know is still continuing?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. I do not carry out the powers. They are carried out by the Central Council of Coalowners.

Mr. MARTIN

Was not the action which the hon. Gentleman formerly took found to be very effective in making the Central Council carry out the requirements of the Act?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member is in error again. The action I took then only takes effect in January next.