Captain A. EVANSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present state of unemployment in the coal-mining industry, the Government have decided to take immediate steps further to stimulate a scientific revival; whether they propose to encourage in every way possible a working agreement between all the various mining associations of the different coalfields for a combined marketing committee for the sale of British coal overseas, for price regulation, and for a general schedule of output according to requirements; and if the Government have any plans for the guarantee of capital for the development and concentration of all approved systems, now in operation, for extracting the by-products of coal, motor spirit, fuel oil, lubricating oil, smokeless fuel, and gas?
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§ Commodore KINGI have been asked to reply. The Government have nothing to add to what has been said in the course of recent discussions in the House about the mining industry on any of the points raised in the question.