HC Deb 04 July 1960 vol 626 cc6-7
6. Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Power with regard to his forthcoming discussions concerning the coal industry whether he will give an additional assurance that he is not contemplating decentralisation of statutory power to the divisional boards.

8. Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of Power before entering into discussions regarding the future of the coal industry, if he will give an assurance that it is not his intention to transfer to divisional boards any of the statutory powers now controlled by the National Coal Board.

Mr. Wood

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave on 20th and 27th June.

Mr. Mason

That is all very well, but is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the miners still suspect that he intends to weaken nationalisation by decentralisation, by carving up the industry into these small regional trusts? Is he not asking for a great deal of trouble because he is not willing to clear the air, and is he not placing the Chairman of the Board in a very invidious position, indeed? Will not he state to the House that he has no plan at all for interfering with the financial arrangements of the Coal Board?

Mr. Wood

I stated very clearly last week that we had no plans to denationalise the industry or to return to district wage agreements. I repeat that pledge. I also repeat what I then said; that I must be allowed time to discuss the matter with the new Chairman before making any statement on any plans for the future.

Mr. Kelley

Is the Minister aware that the National Union of Mineworkers is very apprehensive about the position, and about his lack of frankness in replying to Questions in this House? Is he aware that that is causing a certain amount of alarm, and does he not think that a straightforward answer to a question of this kind would help the industry and those employed in it?

Mr. Wood

No, Sir. I think that I have been entirely frank in my answers, and frank in the answers I have given this afternoon.

Mr. Lee

We are grateful to hear what the right hon. Gentleman has said about decentralisation, but is he aware that we would very much deplore any alteration by the Government of the financial structure of the Board that would take from the Board itself the financial control of its own industry?

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