70. Mrs. WARDasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that coal is being sold, particularly to gas and electricity undertakings, considerably below the cost of production, and that many mine-workers, as a result, are not receiving an adequate wage; and whether he will impress upon the industry the urgent need for a reorganisation in the methods of selling coal?
§ moment and in these circumstances will be of any use, because my hon. and gallant Friend is at present in charge of the negotiations between the two parties and is devoting the whole of his attention to it. He is in close daily consultation with myself, and I know exactly what is going on. Every endeavour that I can use I think the House can trust me to use for the purpose, but at this moment, with every desire to help there is no statement of any kind that I can make. The moment I am in a position to say anything which I think will be of help, I shall not hesitate to say it, but I am sure that the moment the only thing we can do is to leave my hon. and gallant Friend, who is in touch with both parties, and who is to have a further meeting, to go on with his work.