§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of Mines how many total amalgamation schemes, and how many partial amalgamation schemes, have been prepared and recommended by the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission; and how many have been put into operation?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKI would refer the hon. Member to the Commission's own reports which have been presented to Parliament, the first (Cmd. 4816) in 1933 and the second (Cmd. 5069) in January last, in which he will find full particulars.
§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary for Mines how many meetings of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission have been held since 28th July last?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe answer is four.
§ Mr. PALINGasked the secretary for Mines whether the Government has yet considered the whole position and powers of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKYes, Sir. The Government are advised that the compulsory powers which Parliament intended to confer upon the Commission are not inherent in the provisions of Part II of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, as those provisions stand. It is, therefore, the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill at an early date to amend Part II of the Act so as to give the Commission effective powers.