THE MARQUESS OF CREWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl, Lord Crawford, if he is able to give us any further information about the negotiations in the coal dispute?
THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (THE EARL OF CRAWFORD)My Lords, a further meeting took place this morning between the Mining Association of Great Britain and the Miners' Federation of Great Britain. The Prime Minister was unavoidably prevented from attending, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer presided in his place. He was accompanied by the President of the Board of Trade, the Minister of Labour and the Secretary for Mines. A long letter was placed before the Conference, dated April 24, signed by Mr. Evan Williams, the Chairman of the Mining Association. This letter covered proposals of the Mining Association for a durable scheme, together with suggestions for a temporary arrangement during the transition period. I have the document before me; it is very long and very technical. It has been issued to the Press. If your 2 Lordships desire me to read it now I will do so, but as it has already been issued to the Press it will be in your hands in print in the course of an hour or two. I may add that the Conference will meet again to-morrow.
§ [From Minutes of April 22.]