HC Deb 01 February 1939 vol 343 cc200-3
37. Mr. James Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is intended to introduce legislation during this Session to deal with the Report of the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines?

The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)

The Government have given careful consideration during the Recess to this comprehensive and valuable report. Further time is required for the consideration in detail of each of the very numerous recommendations, but the Government accept the report in its general sense and purport, and will commence immediately to take the necessary steps towards implementing it.

In so far as this decision involves legislation, the necessary preparations for a Bill are being put in hand immediately, but such a Measure will necessarily be long and complicated, and I am afraid ft is not possible to have it ready for introduction this Session. Action will, however, be taken in the meantime with a view to a substantial strengthening and reorganisation of the Mines Inspectorate and the administrative services and I am also closely examining certain other of the Commission's recommendations to see how far they can be dealt with by way of regulation, or otherwise, under the existing powers where it is found practicable to do this without prejudice to, or confusion with, the impending legislation.

These reforms will involve expenditure that cannot be met within the statutory limitation imposed on the Mines Department Vote by the Mining Industry Act, 1920, and, as a necessary preliminary step, the Government propose to introduce shortly a Bill to remove that limit.

I may perhaps be allowed to add that the report calls attention to a number of improvements which it is possible for the industry to make on its own initiative, and I would, therefore, invite all concerned to see how far such recommendations can be implemented in advance of any legislation.

Mr. Griffiths

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman reconsider the decision not to introduce the Bill this Session? Is he aware that there is a general feeling in the industry that the time is overdue when the Coal Mines Act should be brought up to date; and will he, therefore, press upon the Government the desirability of reconsidering that decision? Further, will he take an early opportunity of indicating to the House what part of the recommendations he proposes to adopt by regulation?

Captain Crookshank

I will, of course, consider the second point. As regards the first, I think that anybody who really studies this report, which runs to 500 pages and which has 179 main recommendations, in addition to almost double that number of subsidiary recommendations, will realise that there are very many difficult and complicated problems to be dealt with, and that, therefore, I cannot anticipate that the main legislation will be brought in very quickly. If the hon. Member, and other hon. Members, will be good enough to study the third paragraph of the reply I have given to-day, they will see that it is my intention to see what can be done in anticipation.

Mr. Lawson

Is not the Minister aware that the matter, for instance, of the training of boys is one of profound importance for the future; and will he not, before he stereotypes fresh methods by regulation, give an opportunity for discussion in the House?

Captain Crookshank

I cannot undertake to arrange time for discussion in the House, but the question in itself indicates the difficulty of rushing these matters. There is a good deal of ground still to be explored.

Mr. David Grenfell

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider suggesting to the Government that the main Bill should not be delayed unduly, and is he not of opinion that he should give an assurance to the House, after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, that the Bill will not be delayed beyond next Session? Does he not think there is ample time, as he knows that all the preparatory work could be done before the next Session begins? Would he be able to answer a question on the matter in a few weeks' time?

Captain Crookshank

I have answered that. I said that the necessary preparations for the Bill are being immediately put in hand.

Mr. T. Smith

Does that mean that the Minister intends to submit to the various interests in the industry either the main outline of the Government's intention or certain specific things on which they intend to legislate or make regulations? In view of the fact that these recommendations are important to the industry, is it not essential that the country should know the Government's intention at an early date, either through a Bill or a White Paper?

Captain Crookshank

I am not prepared to go further than I have done in the reply I have given. If hon. Members will study the answer, they will see that we appreciate that this is a very important matter. The House can be assured that the Government have no intention of allowing any delay in this matter if it can be avoided, but many important questions have to be discussed and conversations have to take place with the interests concerned.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we have an assurance that the Government will resist any attempt on the part of coalowners to prevent legislation being introduced?

Captain Crookshank

The hon. Gentleman and the House must not assume that anybody in this country is going to resist any reasonable proposals which are going to be put forward. This is a unanimous report, and we had on the Committee representatives of all parts of the industry. It is a pity, if we are going to deal with this most difficult problem in a harmonious spirit, that questions of that kind should be asked.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not within the knowledge of the right hon. Gentleman, as it is within our knowledge, that the coal-owners have frequently resisted attempts to make changes in reference to safety legislation?

Captain Crookshank

As I have just said, I hope we are entering upon a new era as a result of this report.