§ 13 and 14. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he is prepared, as an essential measure for increasing coal production, to end the present county basis of organisation and deal with the coal industry as a national industry;
(2) what reasons the mine-owners gave for opposing a national board for the coal industry, and for their determination to keep the industry organised on a county basis?
§ Mr. GrenfellThe Government's position in this matter was clearly stated by the President of the Board of Trade to the Executive Committee of the Mine-workers' Federation on 30th April, as follows:
The Government regard the subject of rates of wages as a matter for negotiation under the existing machinery, and could therefore not agree to introduce legislation which would compel the establishment of a national board.
§ Mr. GallacherIs not the Minister aware that in the discussion on the Essential Work Order the Minister of Labour asked the hon. Member for Ince (Mr. G. Macdonald) whether he would assist the Ministry in getting transference placed on a national basis instead of a county basis, and is not the Minister aware that his right hon. Friend had to make that request because the mine-owners refused to have this great industry treated as a national industry.
§ Mr. GrenfellI was not in the House when that Question was put to the hon. Member for Ince, but I have read the report of it. I do not think the two matters are closely related, and I am sure they are not related in the way that the hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that I asked him whether it is not the case that this is the only major industry—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member may not put the same question twice.
§ Mr. GallacherWith all respect to you, Mr. Speaker, it is not the same question. Is it not the case that this is the only major industry in the country that is on a county basis, and is it not the Government's responsibility to put an end to that disastrous position?
§ Mr. GrenfellThere are organisations representing both sides, and it is for them to make an approach to any changes in the wage structure in the industry.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the Minister recognise that a serious position will occur three months from now, more especially in connection with gas works and electricity works?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenIs the Minister aware that, owing to the county scheme, statements have been made in South Yorkshire during the past three days that 936 men placed on emergency work are paid at the rate of only 7s. 6d. a shift, and therefore, lose at least is. 9d. on the basic rate?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat Supplementary Question goes far beyond the Question on the Paper.