§ Mr. FIELDasked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the importance of insuring uninterrupted coal supplies to the community and commerce, coupled with the apparent inability of mine holders to prevent a general strike by failing to arrange satisfactory terms with their employés, the Government will consider the advisability of taking measures to acquire and nationalise the coalfields, to be owned by and operated for the benefit of the nation?
Mr. BUXTONIt would not be expedient for me to give any answer to this question at the present moment.