§ 11. Mr. Blytonasked the Paymaster-General the number of additional administrative posts created in the coal industry since the operation of the Fleck Committee proposals.
§ 21. Mr. Masonasked the Paymaster-General how many more administrative personnel have been added to the National Coal Board at all levels since the Fleck recommendations were made.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe number of administrative staff employed by the National Coal Board increased by 750 between September, 1954, and September, 1956.
§ Mr. MasonIs it possible for the Minister to circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT? Does he not think, in view of the vast structural changes made in the National Coal Board, that a statement outlining the proposals should have been made in this House before they were effected?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think these amount to anything like vast structural changes. They are management matters for the National Coal Board. If the hon. Gentleman wants any more detailed information, perhaps he will put a Question. on the Paper.
§ Mr. NealIs it not almost impossible to discover an official of the National Coal Board at divisional level, or of the National Union of Mineworkers, who has any enthusiasm for the implementation of this Report? That being so, why does the right hon. Gentleman now exacerbate feelings in the industry by these useless appointments?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not quite understand what the hon. Member is driving at. The implementation of the Fleck Committee's Report has been going on for a very long time, I should have thought with very beneficial results.
§ Mr. MasonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.