§ 4. Mr. BATEYasked the Secretary for Mines if he will take the necessary steps to introduce legislation to amend Part IV of the Mines Act, 1930, so that a national wages board will be established to regulate miners' wages nationally?
§ Mr. E. BROWNNo, Sir. In present circumstances I am afraid that I do not see any direction in which the provision in question could be amended so as to make it an effective instrument for the purpose which the hon. Member has in mind
§ Mr. BATEYAs the Minister has withdrawn the Mines Bill, which was to amend Part I, cannot he use the time to amend Part IV?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member must understand that Part IV of the Act of 1930 has not been an effective part. The problem is not to put up a general idea, but to get it into practical operation.
§ Mr. BATEYAs Part IV is practically a dead letter, does the Minister not think that the time has come when something should be done to amend it?
§ Mr. D. GRAHAMIs not Part I part of the 1930 Act?
§ Mr. BROWNPart I has proved possible of amendment, with the good will of the industry, in practical terms.
§ Mr. BATEYIs the Minister aware that what we propose is an amendment of the Act to make it effective?
§ Mr. BROWNI understand that nobody at the moment has found any way of doing it by voluntary arrangement, except by compulsory arbitration, which no one wants.