§ 64. Mr. Colegateasked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many stoppages of work have occurred in the coal industry since 1st July, 1943, without prior recourse to the conciliation machinery established on the recommendation of Lord Greene's Board of Investigation; how many workers were involved; and what is the estimated loss of tonnage resulting from the stoppages?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe recommendations of Lord Greene's Board of Investigation for the establishment of machinery to deal with disputes in the districts laid down the procedure by which the machinery should be set up. It is laid down that until that procedure, which is now well advanced, is completed, disputes should be dealt with by the machinery existing in the district prior to the report of Lord Green's Board. Between the week ended 3rd July and the week ended 13th November, 1943, there were reported to my Ministry 421 stoppages due to disputes. The aggregate loss of output from all stoppages during that period is estimated at 562,000 tons. All of these stoppages were unofficial and took place against the advice of the Mineworkers' Union.
§ Mr. ColegateIs the Minister satisfied that his own officials are making adequate use of constitutional trade union machinery? In that connection is he aware that in a recent strike in the Lancashire coalfield the Regional Controller proposed a method of dealing with it which was very much criticised, and eventually responsible officials of the Miners' Federation took the matter in their own hands 204 and in spite—[Interruption]—Could I have an answer?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI should not have the time to go into all the details. I am quite prepared to look into what the hon. Member has said, but obviously I cannot deal with a matter of that nature by question and answer.