HC Deb 11 May 1948 vol 450 cc1955-7
43. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the second stay-in strike at Waleswood Colliery against the National Coal Board's decision to close the pit because of redundancy and high-production costs; of the appeal that has been made to the Yorkshire coalfield for sympathetic support and, since a further 20 pits, mostly in the Yorkshire area are scheduled for closing, a stoppage in the entire Yorkshire coalfield is threatened; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such a stoppage.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Yes, Sir, but I cannot accept the inference drawn in the second part of the Question. The third part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Mr. Osborne

Is the Minister aware that that answer is totally unsatisfactory? Does he not know that yesterday 2,000 men came out on sympathetic strike at Brookhouse Colliery, 1,000 came out today at Kiveton, and about another 1,000 are coming out at Thorneliffe? Are the Government going to wait until the whole of the Yorkshire coalfield is unemployed before they do anything about it? Is that Socialist planning?

Mr. Ness Edwards

This Government —and I hope this House—will support the decision arrived at through the ordinary consultative machinery. The decision to close this colliery was taken by the National Coal Board in conjunction with the Yorkshire area of the National Union of Mineworkers. This House ought not to do anything to encourage the mine workers to resist decisions that have been

employment is for 15th March,and I Will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the Analysis:

taken. We have been informed that collieries are engaged on sympathetic strikes. It is true that that happened last week and it is also happening this week, but the men come out for only a day or so and then go back again. I think we had better rely on the good sense of those responsible for the industry.

Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

Would my right hon. Friend give more encouragement to the National Coal Board and the divisional coal boards to consult with the men at the earliest possible moment when these decisions are under consideration, so that the men do not feel that a decision is imposed upon them without any opportunity of their being able to put forward their case adequately?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for that supplementary question, because it gives me the opportunity of saying that adequate consultations have taken place and are taking place in connection with the concentration or closing down of some of these collieries. The consultation starts with the miners' lodge, goes on to the district organisation, and then to the national level. At every stage the men involved are informed of every step that is taken.

Mr. Osborne

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the Government are quite satisfied that there will be no widespread sympathetic strikes in Yorkshire, and that, if they take place, the Government will take responsibility for them?

Mr. Ness Edwards

It is very difficult and dangerous for a politician to become a prophet. All I was saying was that we should use the agreed machinery for that industry to see to it that these decisions are properly carried out.

Mr. Gallacher

Is there not something more than economy at stake here? Surely, local human feeling has to be taken into account? Must there not be something very deep and serious in the minds of these men, that they stayed down below in a pit for day after day? How many Members of this House would be prepared to go through such an ordeal unless they felt something seriously was wrong?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I am astonished at that suggestion. I am satisfied that the representatives of the miners are as deeply concerned about the human factor as any Member of this House.

Back to