§ Captain Crookshank(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can now make an announcement about fixing the Primary Vesting Date under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act.
§ The Minister of Fuel and Power (Mr. Shinwell)Yes, Sir. The National Coal Board have been working extremely hard in preparing for the actual taking over of the mines at the earliest possible moment. The administrative problems involved in an immense and unprecedented operation of this kind are, of course, formidable. Suitable office 518 accommodation has been difficult to secure. A great variety of staff has to be engaged, and first class personnel are never easy to find, especially for a new form of organisation. It will be some lime before finality is reached in the case of many assets for which options have to be exercised. The Board have also to make arrangements to continue conciliation machinery and wage agreements in the industry, and to provide for adequate financial arrangements and controls, and so forth. In many ways the Board will have to make temporary and provisional arrangements until their organisation is fully staffed. Composite undertakings will present special difficulties. In spite of the problems with which the Board are faced, there is, I am sure, general recognition in the industry, which I may say the Board share, that the mines should be vested in the Board at the earliest possible date. I am sure, too, that the Board can count on the fullest cooperation of the National Union of Mineworkers, and of all those concerned with the industry in overcoming the inevitable difficulties of the transitional period. After careful consideration, and after consultation with the Board, I have decided that the transference of the mines to national ownership shall take place on 1st January, 1947, and I accordingly propose to make the necessary Order under the Act to fix this as the Primary Vesting Date.