§ Mr. Sloanasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered a resolution from the National Union of Scottish Mineworkers protesting against the imprisonment of the Kent miners leaders and asking for their immediate release pending adjustment of the dispute with the coal-owners; and what action he intends to take in the matter?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have considered these and other representations and have consulted the justices before whom the cases were heard. While I do not in any way question the propriety of the action taken by the justices on the facts before them, I regard the amicable settlement of the dispute as an earnest of the determination of the workers at the Bettishanger Colliery to make the fullest contribution to the national effort and in these circumstances I felt justified in recommending the remission of the remainder of the sentences of imprisonment imposed on the miners' leaders. The three men were released last night.