§ Mr. EDWARDSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has completed his inquiries into the dispute between the mine-rescue workers of South Wales and Monmouthshire and the colliery owners; if so, will he state what the position now is; whether training is being continued; and will he take steps to secure that any alteration in pay or conditions shall in future only take place after consultation and negotiation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel LANE-FOXI under stand that a reduction of the payments made to rescue workers was considered, by the rescue associations in the South Wales district, to be justified in view of the substantial reductions which had taken place in the wages of colliery workers generally since the time when the rates previously payable were fixed. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, I have no power to prescribe the procedure to be followed in these matters; that must be settled between the parties concerned. So far as I know, no suspension of training has taken place.