§ 70. Mr. Colegateasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the letter, dated 10th March, addressed to the Controller General by the Mining Association of Great Britain, informing him that the mining association supported the representations of the National Association of Colliery Managers that colliery managers should be given the power to suspend workmen temporarily for reasons of a disciplinary character without the payment of the guaranteed wage; and what action he has taken upon it.
Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, Sir. The letter referred to by my hon. Friend expresses a different view however from that given to me by the Mining Association three months earlier. On 22nd December, 1943, the President of the Mining Association stated that that body felt some concern at the proposal that colliery managers might have power to suspend employees for a period of three days, without pay, for breaches of pit discipline, and that while he could see advantages in the proposal under peace-time conditions, he was not sure that it would be beneficial in war-time. The attention of the Mining Association has been directed to the contrary advice given to me by them on this matter, and the Association has been informed that I am not prepared to pursue this matter further for the time being.
§ Mr. GallacherCould not the Minister consider indefinitely suspending the mine-owners as being one sure way of getting discipline?