HC Deb 16 February 1943 vol 386 cc1579-80
33. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the letter of Lord Traprain to the hon. Member for West Fife, a copy of which has been sent to him, in which he justifies the attempt of the Fife Coal Company to break the wages of the Bowhill miners on the ground that they are higher than the general rate of the district; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

Major Lloyd George

I have seen the correspondence referred to. In my view the letter to which the hon. Member refers does not bear the interpretation he places on it. My Department does not intervene in negotiations for the adjustment of wages and nothing has been done by my Ministry, either at Bowhill or elsewhere, to interfere with the machinery for settling wages, which is available now as in the past.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister not aware that these strippers are being deliberately victimised arising out of the policy of the Fife Coal Company? Will he read the first paragraph of the letter from Lord Traprain if he says my interpretation is not correct?

Major Lloyd George

I not only will read it but I have read it. I would also recommend the hon. Member to read the last paragraph, with which I heartily agree, which says that it is not his business or that of the Ministry to interfere with the existing machinery.

Mr. Gallacher

Am I to understand that Parliament, which guaranteed to protect the miners and other workers when their trade union rights were taken away, has no right to interfere?

Major Lloyd George

I never said anything of the sort.

Mr. Gallacher

The Minister referred me to the last paragraph.

Major Lloyd George

I simply said, and it is important that the hon. Member should understand it, that there is machinery in existence between employers and men for negotiating wages, and it is not the purpose of this Ministry to interfere with that machinery. It is for the trade union concerned to ask for the assistance of my Ministry, in which case it will be forthcoming.

Mr. Sloane

Is it a matter for the Minister to intervene when 300 tons of coal per day are being lost?

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter at an early date.