§ 14. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary of Mines whether he will consider, when introducing legislation dealing with reorganisation and selling agencies, arranging to have on the boards of control representatives of the Miners' Federation?
§ 16. Mr. JAMES GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will undertake to secure adequate representation of the mineworkers on the committees or boards that will be responsible for the administration of the proposed central and district selling schemes for the coal-mining industry?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe proposed selling schemes do not provide specifically for the representation of the mineworkers. I would point out that no legislation is necessary to give effect to these schemes.
§ Mr. TINKERSeeing that there is so much contention now about the matter not being dealt with properly, could the Secretary for Mines not see his way to allow representatives of the Miners Federation to be put on these bodies?
§ Mr. J. GRIFFITHSIn view of the importance of this scheme for the miners would he not permit this representation in order to secure that the increased prices are brought into the ascertainments and thus enable the miners' wages to be raised?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThat raises a different issue from this specific question. The district executive boards which have dealt with various schemes under the Act of 1930 have no direct representation of the mineworkers on them and that Act was carried on the motion of the Labour Government of that time.
§ 17. Mr. J. GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he proposes to have consultations with the Mineworkers' Federation in regard to the proposed central and district selling schemes before submitting them to Parliament?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe necessary draft orders in relation to the district selling schemes have now been laid before Parliament. As I have already indicated in this House, I am willing to meet representatives of the Mineworkers' Federation to discuss matters of this kind, if they so desire.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIn view of the fact that these selling schemes were part of the settlement made between the Miners' Federation, the mineowners and the Secretary for Mines recently, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman thing he was under a obligation to consult the Miners' Federation before these schemes were introduced to Parliament?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI think the hon. Gentleman overlooks the fact that a Joint Consultative Committee was set up, and they seem to be exactly the people with whom this question ought to be discussed.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSAre we to understand, then, that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consult with the Joint Committee?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI think there is a question about that later on.
§ Mr. MUFFWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman receive a deputation from the Association of Municipal Corporations?
§ 18. Mr. J. GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will undertake to secure provision for the assistance of the exporting districts in the proposed central and district selling schemes for the coal-mining industry?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe draft orders for the Scotland, South Wales, Northumberland and Durham districts, which were laid before Parliament a week ago, include a provision which would enable the executive board for each of those districts, if it so desires, to collect levies for the purpose of facilitating the sale of any class of coal produced in the district. The draft orders for other districts do not contain such a provision and I understand that the representations to be made to me in respect of the central scheme are unlikely to do so. I have not yet received the formal representations covering amendments of the central scheme.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIn view of the fact that unless there is such assistance a very large number of men employed in the exporting districts cannot hope for a wage increase, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman exercise his interest and bring his authority to bear to compel the inclusion of such provision in those schemes?
20. Mr. JENKINSasked the Secretary for Mines whether the proposed central and district selling schemes contain a provision for the payment of compensation to the owners of collieries that may be closed after the schemes become operative; and whether he will undertake to see that provision is made for the payment of compensation to the displaced workpeople.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe district selling schemes will not provide for the payment of compensation to the owners of mines that are closed down. The second part of the question does not therefore arise. The majority of the schemes will, however, contain a provision that if any owner, having made reasonable attempts to obtain business, does not secure his proper share of the trade of the district, he will receive compensation out of moneys provided by contributions paid by those owners who do more than their proper share of the trade.
§ 25. Mr. TINKERasked the Secretary for Mines whether he will consider, when he brings in the Bill dealing with selling agencies in the coal-mining industry, placing on the board of control representatives from the consumers?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAs I informed the hon. Member in reply to an earlier question, no Bill is necessary for the establishment of organised selling schemes in the coal industry.
§ Mr. TINKERDoes that mean that consumers can now have a say on the board?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt means exactly what it says, that no legislation is required in this matter.
§ Mr. TINKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman ought to be a little clearer in his replies, and treat us fairly, and not put us off in that way. Does the reply mean that consumers can have a voice on the board?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIf the hon. Gentleman means the selling board, the consumers are not concerned with that. What the answer does mean is that the committees of investigation, which are bodies set up under the Act of 1930, have as half their membership representatives of the consumers.