§ Mr. Sylvesterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any arrangements have been made for co-ordinating the welfare activities of the National Coal Board with the work of the Miners' Welfare Commission.
§ Mr. GaitskellYes. Both the National Coal Board and the Miners' Welfare Commission have statutory duties and responsibilities in relation to welfare, and the Board are prepared to devote substantial funds to this purpose in addition to the statutory levies. In these circumstances there must clearly be the closest possible integration. Accordingly I have approved a scheme drawn up jointly by the Commission and the Board, with the full support of the National Union of Mineworkers, under which the whole field of welfare will be planned and directed by a National Miners' Welfare Joint106W Council, consisting of the whole Commission and two representatives of the Board. The Chairman of the Commission who is also a member of the Board, will be Chairman of the Council. The scheme fully safeguards the statutory position of the Commission and its funds.