§ Mr. STANTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that some Members of Parliament are receiving thousands of written protests from their constituents against the Government's proposal to limit the profits of the coal trade to 1s. 2d. per ton; is he aware that such limitation must mean a set-back to the coal industry, that it will stop development, and cause later very serious losses to the working miners as well as to the employers; is he aware that many miners are shareholders in every large coalfield; and will he appoint a small committee, composed of those who understand this question, to deal with and report upon the same to the House of Commons?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe Interim Report of the Coal Industry Commission signed by Mr. Justice Sankey and three other members recommended that coal-owners should be allowed to retain 1s. 2d. per ton of coal raised. The Leader of the House announced on 20th March that the Government accepted that Report and a Bill to give effect to this recommendation has been already introduced. I am aware that this Report has given rise to controversy, and Members will have an opportunity of expressing their views on the Second Heading of the Bill.