HC Deb 05 March 1936 vol 309 cc1532-4
3. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether lie is aware that the Beamish air-pit millers were requested some months ago to work the pneumatic pick in a seam one foot nine inches high; that, although the men could not work this machine in such a seam, the officers of the Ministry and the Umpire declared this was a dispute, and consequently no benefit was paid; and that the manager has now declared all the men in the scam are unsuitable for this employment after trial; and what steps he now proposes to have the whole of these facts reconsidered?

4. Mr. DAVID ADAMS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the men concerned in the Beamish air-pit case, which was recently heard by the Umpire, have now been declared unsuitable for this class of work by the manager; and, in view of this changed position, what steps he proposes to take to have this case reconsidered?

Mr. E. BROWN

My attention has been called to this ease by the hon. Members. The decision has been given by the Umpire, who, as the hon. Member knows, is the final authority. I regret, therefore, that there is no action which I can take.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the Minister aware that, since I put down my question, the colliery manager has sent a letter in which he says quite plainly that the which who are doing this work are unsuitable? Does not that alter the whole case; and will the right hon. Gentleman see to it, therefore, that there is a rehearing of the case, which has been totally altered by the manager's statement?

Mr. BROWN

I am quite sure that, if there are new facts, the ease can be, and will be, reconsidered by the Umpire.

Mr. T. SMITH

Could not a re-hearing be obtained on the facts stated in the latter parts of these questions, seeing that the men have now been declared unsuitable for this class of work?

Mr. BROWN

I should like notice of that question.

Mr. LAWSON

Is the Minister aware that it is the common opinion in the district that there have been new facts, and that the men concerned have pressed for the re-hearing of a case in which a wrong has certainly been done to decent, moderate-minded men?

Mr. ADAMS

Are we to understand t hat the right hon. Gentleman will bring these new facts to the notice of the authorities or of the Umpire?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member will understand that it is not my duty to bring forward the facts, but the facts may be brought before the Umpire, and, if they are new facts, they will of course be examined by him and the whole case reviewed in the light of those new facts.

Mr. BATEY

Will not the Minister of Labour do what has been done in the past in cases of this kind?

Mr. SPEAKER

A reply has been given to the question.