HC Deb 04 March 1920 vol 126 cc666-7W
Mr. HURD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any official Report will be issued of the conferences which are now in progress between the representatives of the Miners' Federation and Messrs. Alfred Tongue and Company, the auditors appointed by the Government to examine the finances of the coal mining industry?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

At the request of the Prime Minister, Messrs. Alfred Tongue and Company, the independent accountants who reported on the finances of the coal industry, met Mr. Frank Hodges and Mr. Vernon Hartshorn, of the Miners' Federation, on the 23rd February, and following on this conference a Report was furnished to the Prime Minister in the form of a letter from the independent accountants. I shall be glad to arrange for a copy of this letter to be Circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the letter referred to—

"34, West George Street,

Glasgow.

25th February, 1920.

"The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, O.M., M.P.,

10, Downing Street,

London, S.W.1.

SIR,