§ 10. Mr. Tinkerasked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the transfer of quotas from one colliery owner to another does, in many cases, cause the closing down of collieries, and distress follows in consequence; and will he have an examination made of what has taken place in these transactions to see: if the changeover can be effected with as little hardship as possible?
§ Mr. LloydThe transfer of quota is not a cause, but an effect, of the contraction of output at one mine and its expansion at another; and to prohibit it would not prevent the closing of a colliery, but merely prevent that colliery's output (and the consequential employment) being transferred to another colliery in the same district. The transfer of quota in many cases reduces the amount of distress which follows the closing down of a colliery. With regard to the second part of the question, the problems which arise in these cases are local and particular, and, even if I had the power to interfere with 1089 the discretion conferred by the Coal Mines Act, 1930, on the individual coal-owner to transfer his output rights, I do not think that an examination such as is suggested would enable me to lay down any useful general rule for dealing with such cases.
§ Mr. TinkerWill not the hon. Gentleman go into this matter, as in the case of two collieries which were recently closed down the men had to travel 10 miles in one case, and 20 miles in the other in order to follow the coal, and is not that something that ought to be watched and dealt with by his Department?
§ Mr. LloydI agree that it is a very difficult matter. I think that when the Labour Government introduced this Act they had in mind, when imposing restrictions that were designed to help wage conditions, that it was desirable at the same time to preserve a measure of
| Imports of coal into France from Great Britain and Germany during the years 1928 to 1938 and January-May, 1939. | |||||
| Year. | Total Imports.* | From Great Britain. | Per cent, of Total. | From Germany.* | Per cent. of Total. |
| 1,000 metric tons. | |||||
| 1928 | 21,984 | 8,506 | 38.7 | 8,983 | 40.9 |
| 1929 | 28,645 | 13,216 | 46.1 | 10,123 | 35.3 |
| 1930 | 29,288 | 13,581 | 46.4 | 9,617 | 32.8 |
| 1931 | 26,867 | 10,783 | 40.1 | 8,395 | 31.2 |
| 1932 | 21,906 | 9,153 | 41.8 | 8,113 | 37.0 |
| 1933 | 21,934 | 8,896 | 40.6 | 7,996 | 36.5 |
| 1934 | 20,974 | 7,731 | 36.9 | 8,000 | 38.1 |
| 1935 | 18,454 | 7,431 | 4.3 | 5,628 | 30.5 |
| 1936 | 18,637 | 7,199 | 38.6 | 5,879 | 31.5 |
| 1937 | 24,630 | 9,418 | 38.2 | 7,996 | 32.5 |
| 1938 | 18,685 | 6,347 | 34.0 | 5,519 | 29.5 |
| Jan.-May, 1939 | 6,286 | 1,971 | 31.4 | 1,620 | 25.8 |
| * As from 18th February, 1935, the Saar has been included in the German Customs Union. For the purpose of comparison, deliveries from the Saar to France, prior to this date, are included in the above figures. |
§ 14. Mr. Mainwaringasked the Secretary for Mines whether, having regard to the agreed aims during the negotiations of last autumn and to the discontent felt in exporting circles in this country, he is satisfied that the French coal imports agreement is being operated satisfactorily?
§ Mr. LloydSince the conclusion of the negotiations to which the hon. Member refers the United Kingdom percentage of French imports of coal subject to quota has increased as compared with the year 1938. I have no reason to suppose that 1090 elasticity with regard to the working of the coalfields.
§ Mr. BateyWhile it is a simple matter to sell a quota to an adjoining colliery so that the men have not far to walk, it is a serious matter if the men have to travel 10 or 20 miles, and will not the hon. Gentleman inquire into this question?