§ 22. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the coal owners in Nottinghamshire have received an average profit during the past three months of 4s.9d. for every shift worked by a man or boy above or below ground; and what complaints have been received from consumers of coal of the price of coal during the same three months?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)For the latest period of three months for which figures are available (December, 1936—February, 1937), the average credit balance per manshift worked in Nottinghamshire was just under 4s.9d. During the same period, seven complaints with regard to the price of Nottinghamshire coal were lodged with the District Committee of Investigation, of which five have since been withdrawn by the complainants, and one has been held in abeyance at the request of the complainants. The remaining complaint was rejected by the committee after investigation.
§ Mr. WilliamsAs the consumers are generous enough to supply the Nottinghamshire coal owners with such nice profits as these, does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think the Nottinghamshire coal owners ought to allow their employes to join which trade union they like?
§ Mr. Wraggis it not a fact that the majority of this profit will go to the men as expressed in the ascertainment?
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that none of these profits will go to the miners?