§ 37. Sir John Mellorasked the Secretary for Mines on what date the National Committee of Investigation, set up under 956 Section 5 of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, first received a complaint with regard to the direction of the Central Council of Colliery Owners that no inland contract should be made beyond 31st March, 1938; whether the committee has yet reached a decision upon this subject; and, if so, on what date and to what effect?
§ Captain CrookshankThe complaint was received by the National Committee of Investigation on 13th January. The Committee has not yet reached a decision in the matter, as the reply of the Central Council to the complaint is still under consideration by the complainants.
§ Sir J. MellorDoes not my hon. and gallant Friend consider that the delay, expense and trouble of proceeding before this committee are such as to deter consumers from going to the committee, with the result that the committee is no longer an effective check upon the activities of the Central Council?
§ Captain CrookshankThe delay does not rest there. My hon. Friend will perhaps be interested to know that the reply of the Central Council was sent on 30th January, and the complainants have been considering it ever since.