asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the Miners' Federation are making an application for an increase of wages for all their members; and what steps his Department are taking to get the Mining Association to meet the Miners' Federation to discuss the position?

Captain CROOKSHANK:

The answer to the first part of the question is, Yes. With regard to the second part, there is no change in the Mining Association's attitude, since they are specifically precluded by their conditions of association from dealing with wage matters. In these circumstances I regret that I cannot see what further steps my Department can take in the direction the hon. Member suggests.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware of the great agitation in the mining world on the question of an advance of wages, and that we do not want things to go on without the Government being fully aware of what has happened? I hope the Government will not allow time to pass without making some further effort to arrange a meeting.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the concessions asked for by the mine workers, unless conceded for the Federation as a whole, would create hardships for those coal owners who granted an increase?