§ Mr. WHITELEYasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to issue instructions for the payment of outdoor relief to workmen not in receipt of unemployment benefit under the Consett Coal and Iron Company, seeing that negotiations for a resumption of work are now proceeding?
§ Mr. WHITELEYasked the Secretary for Mines whether any official of his Department is taking part in the negotiations now proceeding between the Consett Coal and Iron Company and the men idle at the collieries belonging to that firm; whether he can state what progress is being made; and if there is any prospect of an early settlement?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThere have already been three meetings of representatives of the Consett Coal and Iron Company, Limited, and representatives of all the collieries operated by them. I understand that full and frank discussions of the matters in dispute have taken place and that a fourth meeting is to be held this week to consider them further. No member of my Department has been present at these discussions, but I am in close touch with the parties, who are aware that any services that I might be able to render towards effecting a settlement are at their disposal.