§ 7. Mr. Colegateasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that when discussions were initiated in the districts for the settlement of anomalies arising out of the Porter Award the men's side of the Joint National Negotiating Committee stipulated that the cost must come out of the Coal Charges Order Fund, he will state what information was given by him to both sides regarding the source from which the money required was to be provided.
Major Lloyd GeorgeOn the 3rd February, 1944, without prior consultation with my Department, the Joint National Negotiating Committee agreed that the anomalies arising out of the Porter Award should be adjusted by the two sides of the industry in each district, provided the cost of such adjustment was met from the Coal Charges Account. Later the same day representatives of the Mining Association informed my officials of this agreement and were at once told that no undertaking could be given that the cost of such adjustment would be paid from the Coal Charges Account and that important issues were being raised which would require consultation between me and my colleagues. On the following day, I myself saw representatives of the Mining Association and confirmed this statement of my officials, and also intimated that I was not prepared, without consulting my colleagues, even to agree that any sums paid in order to implement the Porter Award itself, quite apart from the adjustment of anomalies, would be refunded from the Coal Charges Account. The Mineworkers' Federation on the 4th February, 1944, was informed verbally of the answer given by my official on the previous day to the Mining Association, and I understand that, before any district 1852 negotiations took place, the Mineworkers' Federation made it clear to its district officials that any agreements which might be reached as to the adjustment of anomalies would be subject to His Majesty's Government agreeing that the cost thereof should be met from the Coal Charges Account.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not clear by now that the anomalies cannot be adjusted by the existing methods; and what does my right hon. and gallant Friend propose to do in order to clear away the complications that are causing disturbances all through the coalfields?
§ Mr. ShinwellMy right hon. and gallant Friend has had several meetings and there has been a great deal of negotiation going on, and yet there is more trouble breaking out. What is to be done about it?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThere has been no negotiation on this at all; the first meeting is being held to-morrow.
§ Mr. ColegateWould not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that the time has come for some bold imaginative step which will clear away these difficulties and allow the mining industry to get on with its job?
§ Mr. ColegateI shall be delighted to give them.
§ Sir Irving AlberyIs it not the fact that the situation in the coalfields has been well-known to the War Cabinet for the last four years; and does not the real responsibility lie with the War Cabinet?