§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the, protests sent to him from the leading Staffordshire pottery firms as to difficulty 1652W in getting the coal they want owing to the interpretation in North Staffordshire of the quota section of the Coal Mines Act; what is the present position; and when may they expect relief?
§ Mr. FOOTI have received the complaints referred to, and I have informed the complainants that I have no power to intervene in the matter, which is being inquired into with all possible speed by the district committee of investigation appointed to deal with complaints of this nature. I understand that the colliery company concerned is again submitting the question to arbitration and that the committee of investigation, anxious to avoid prejudicing the case of either party before the arbitrators, have deferred taking a decision until the arbitration award has been made. They have requested the executive board administering the North Staffordshire district scheme to do everything in their power to expedite the hearing of this arbitration.