§ 22. Mr. T. Smithasked the Secretary for Mines whether there is anything in the Essential Work Order or in the rules governing the procedure of the pit production committees which enables action to be taken against the mines management if it is proved that they have hindered or discouraged production?
§ Mr. GrenfellWhile there are no specific provisions to this effect in the Essential Work Order, there are other ways of dealing with such a situation and they would be considered in a suitable case.
§ Mr. SmithCan my hon. Friend tell me what these other ways are, and is he aware that one source of irritation among pit production committees is the feeling that penalties are too one-sided? He and I know that production is a matter for co-operation.
§ Mr. GrenfellI will promise my hon. Friend that if the offence is shown to be on the owner's side, a suitable penalty can be devised for the owner in that case.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not prepared to take action to force the mine-owners to set up a national board to govern the whole of the industry?