§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Labour what action, if any, is the Coal Controller taking to balance the shipments on the River Tyne, seeing that Tyne Dock is down by 47 per cent., while the river as a whole is only down 6 per cent., and further, recognising that 320 trimmers are employed to do a normal day's work and these men cannot be drafted to other places, what action is he taking to have their case brought before the proper quarter for them to be paid a minimum day's wage; and what action, if any, he is taking to have them brought under Part II of the Insurance Act for donation benefit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn the general position I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on the 22nd instant, by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I am having inquiries made into the question of the minimum wage, but my hon. Friend will recognise that this is not a matter in which I have authority to intervene.