§ 79. Mr. D. Grenfellasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish the report of the American mining delegation who visited and reported upon mining methods in the British coalfields this year, in order that this House may be fully informed in preparation for a Parliamentary discussion of the recommendations made to him.
§ Mr. T. SmithMy right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply which he gave on this subject on 17th October to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward).
Sir A. EvansIs the Minister aware that the details of this report have been made known in the American Press; and, in view of that fact, does he not think that those who are particularly interested in the industry here should have similar information available to them?
§ Mr. T. SmithAs my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the decision not to publish was taken by the Government for reasons given by my right hon. Friend. That being so, there is nothing I can add on the matter.
§ Mr. GrenfellWill the Parliamentary Secretary convey to the Minister the necessity of administering some corrective to the reports passed from the American Press to the Press of this country, which may be very misleading?
§ Mr. SloanDoes the Minister not consider it unfair to the coalowners of the country that they should be unable to answer the very grave charges which are made against them in the report?
§ Sir Granville GibsonCan the Minister say how many weeks the delegation spent in this country?