§ Mr. TURNER-SAMUELSasked the Minister of Labour what, if any, steps are being taken to avoid the threatened rupture in the coalfields; and whether the Government will consider appointing a court of inquiry under the powers residing in the Ministry of Labour at an early date to inquire into the questions in dispute between the miners and the mineowners?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have been asked to reply. Negotiations between the colliery owners and colliery workers are still proceeding. I am keeping myself informed of the course of these negotiations, but Government intervention at this stage would be premature, and I cannot at present make any statement as to the form that intervention may take should it become necessary.