§ 13. Mr. Nabarroasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he proposes to take in connection with the recommendation in the Ridley Report, that industrial Stokers should be encouraged to raise their efficiency arrangements for improving their status.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydI am discussing arrangements for this purpose with my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my hon. Friend bear in mind that an untrained stoker in industry could waste more coal in a day than a skilled miner can cut, and that the finest means of inducing a higher standard of efficiency in stoking is not only an increase in mechanical stokers but a system of certifying industrial stokers on the lines of recent Canadian legislation on that subject?
§ Mr. LloydI appreciate that, but my hon. Friend will also, I feel, understand my position when I say that I do not think that the best way to get economies is to tell the stokers they are bad stokers, 1378 but to make proper arrangements to facilitate an improvement of their efficiency.
§ Mr. NabarroIs my right hon. Friend aware that I did not say that all stokers are bad stokers? I said that in certain circumstances they could waste more in a day than a miner could raise.
§ Mr. MoyleWill the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour consult the T.U.C., with a view to getting practical views upon this important matter?