§ 16. Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has any statement to make with regard to the proposal to discharge 450 employees of the Easington coalmine.
Major Lloyd GeorgeFollowing the award of the National Reference Tribunal on the 22nd January, output at the Easington Colliery declined very sharply from about 15,000 tons a week to 6,500 tons. In these circumstances I had to consider whether it was in the best interests of production to continue working the colliery, having regard also to the fact that the men's wages were being made up to the guaranteed minimum from the Coal Charges Account at the expense of coal consumers generally. After full consideration, I decided that certain sections of the colliery which were particularly affected could not be kept in operation and on the 6th March, at the request of my Regional Controller, the men concerned were given 14 days' notice to determine their employment at this colliery with a view to their being transferred to other collieries in Durham where the output per man is very much higher. Following this action, I understand that the question of restoring normal working at Easington was the subject of a ballot taken on the 9th March, and that a majority of the men voted in favour of lifting the restriction on output. I am not yet able to say whether this majority decision has been implemented.
§ Mr. LevyDoes my right hon. and gallant Friend seriously contend that the way to increase output is to direct miners from one particular mine and distribute them to other mines, and to close down mines where output is available?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI thought I had made the position clear to my hon. Friend that, while output was available, it was not being got, and that 15,000 tons had dropped to 6,500. My duty is to use my power to the best possible purpose.
§ Mr. ShinwellWas it not a foolish thing to threaten the men with transfer to other collieries, instead of trying to understand their grievances and to correct them?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI think my hon. Friend knows perfectly well that that is not a very good description of the situation.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this colliery is in my area and that I understand the matter very much better than he does?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe colliery may be in my hon. Friend's area, but if he does understand the matter, he has not been very successful, judging by the result.
§ Mr. Shinwellrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI am on my feet, and the hon. Member must give way. I have called another hon. Member.
§ Mr. ShinwellThat is not the end of the matter, I can assure the Minister.
§ Mr. FosterAre there not other factors responsible for the fall in output at this colliery, other than the action of the workers?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThat is a very large question to discuss by question and answer. My hon. Friend knows that certain things are going on at the present time and I am very hopeful, as a result of the negotiations, that some of these difficulties will be removed. I could not possibly deal with the matter by question and answer.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not the right hon. and gallant Member aware that there have been legitimate grievances at this colliery for many months past, which are now admitted? Why was it necessary to threaten to transfer the men to other collieries; and why was not an attempt made to deal with those grievances?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have always done my best to deal immediately with grievances brought to my notice. My hon. Friend ought to know perfectly well that that is no excuse for reducing the output in the way I have described.
§ Mr. GallacherThere has been an awful lot of bungling here.