§ Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the representations made by workpeople employed by colliery companies in South Wales that they are being deprived of the privilege of obtaining cheap coal owing to the Coal Mines Act; and whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have received representations with regard to the proposed cessation of supplies of coal at cheap rates to workers at steel works in South Wales allied to coal mines. I have replied that in my view it is possible for the coal-owners, under the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, and the schemes in force thereunder, to make arrangements which would enable the supply of cheap coal to these workpeople to be continued, but I have no power to compel employers to do so.