§ Squadron-Leader Donnerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power, whether he has considered a notification from the local lodges in the Durham minefield that they cannot operate the self-discipline scheme against absentees; and whether he will provide a comparison between the rate of absenteeism since his decision to withdraw sanctions against absentees and the rate during the same length of period prior to that decision.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe Durham Executive Committee of the National Union of Mine-workers resolved to operate the scheme to which the hon. and gallant Member refers and have so advised the local lodges concerned. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to a reply which I gave to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Wallasey (Captain Marples) on 16th October.