§ 75 and 76. Mr. J. GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines (1) what will be the profits accruing to the coalowners under the existing wage agreements in each district on the basis of the existing ratios before the mine-workers will be entitled to any further increase in wages; and whether he proposes to make representations to the coalowners to agree to a revision of the existing ratios so as to enable the miners to secure the further wage increase promised to them;
§ (2) what amount of increase per ton in the pit-head prices of coal will be required to enable the miners in the South Wales coalfield to secure an increase above the present wages on the basis of the existing ascertainments provided in the district wages agreement?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI am not in possession of the information necessary to enable me to give the particulars asked for, and in any case the matter is too complex to be dealt with within the limits of question and answer. The machinery of wage regulation is primarily a matter for the industry itself, and I would remind the hon. Member that only a few months have elapsed since the two sides agreed to set up a joint consultative committee for the specific purpose of considering, among other matters of general application to the industry, the general principles applicable to the determination of wages by district agreements. It seems to me most desirable, now that a form of national machinery has been set up, that it should be left alone to do its work.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSDoes not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that he ought to make representations to the owners, now that they have received the powers they ask for, because it is their responsibility to see that these powers are properly used?
§ Mr. G. GRIFFITHS rose—
§ Mr. J. GRIFFITHSMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI was going to answer it with others, but if the hon. Gentleman prefers an answer straight away I suggest that he should carefully study the reply which I have given him, because I think that reply answers this question.
§ Mr. G. GRIFFITHSDoes not the hon. and gallant Gentleman know that in this last quarter, the coalowners have made a clear profit of 1s. 7½d. per ton, or over £4,500,000?