§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I desire to ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make in relation to the rumoured settlement of the strike.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTON)My Lords, had I known that this question was going to be put to me I would have come prepared to make a statement similar to that which has, I believe, been made in another place; but when I left the Cabinet room this morning the subsequent interview with the leaders of the Miners' Federation had not taken place and I only heard myself for certain an hour ago that an arrangement, or what it is hoped will be an arrangement, has been arrived at. I wish I could be more definite in the terms in which I announce it to your Lordships' House.