HC Deb 01 April 1941 vol 370 cc849-50
33. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the manager of Shettleston Co-operative Society, Limited, telephoned Mr. Alexander, of the Mines Department at Glasgow, complaining of the failure of his society to secure their proper supply of coal, informing him that the society had approached the hon. Member for the Shettleston division on the subject; that Mr. Alexander informed him that he could now depend upon the hon. Member for Shettleston for the coal supply, and refused to discuss the matter further; and whether he will inquire into Mr. Alexander's conduct with a view to his removal from this position?

Mr. Grenfell

I have made inquiries into this matter, without, however, any very satisfactory result, except to show conclusively that Mr. Alexander was not personally concerned, being away at a committee meeting on 18th March at the time that the telephone call is said to have been made. Such information as I have been able to obtain does not correspond with the account of the incident given by the hon. Member, and I see no need for further action over what at the worst was only a little telephone argument by an officer working under great strain to maintain coal supplies in difficult circumstances.

Mr. McGovern

May I ask whether there is still the right in this country for traders to approach Members of Parliament to try and get a redress of their grievances; has anybody in the Department in Glasgow the right to resent an application being made to a Member of Parliament, and should the Department not extend courtesy instead of resentment?

Mr. Grenfell

It is certainly my wish that Members of Parliament should make representations about any difficulties brought to their notice, and I do not think any official statement has been made on behalf of the Department in Glasgow that shows resentment at the part played by the hon. Member or anybody else.

Mr. McGovern

Will the hon. Gentleman draw attention to the fact that this complaint has been made, and will he also inquire into whether the society can have their proper share of coal?

Mr. Grenfell

Yes, Sir.