Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Industry. – in the House of Commons at on 22 May 1941.
Mr Tom Smith
, Normanton
asked the Secretary for Mines what is the import of the Draft Order, entitled the Central (Coal Mines) Scheme (Amendment) Order, which he has laid before the House?
Mr David Grenfell
, Gower
The Draft Order is designed to implement proposals submitted to me by the coal industry for a levy on all coal sold. This levy will be required to meet costs incurred in consequence of the grant of a guaranteed pay week under the terms of the Essential Work (Coal Mining Industry) Order, 1941. A Resolution will be laid before the House at an early date inviting approval of the Draft Order; I would add that the matter is fully explained in a white paper, which will be available in the Vote Office to-day.
Mr Tom Smith
, Normanton
In discussing this particular Order will it be possible to discuss the whole position in the mining industry; and may I ask, also, whether my hon. Friend is still keeping in close touch with both sides in the industry in order to get a satisfactory settlement of the wages question?
Mr David Grenfell
, Gower
It will be necessary to have a discussion on rather a wide scale. The problem is not limited in range and we shall be able to discuss everything concerned.
Mr George Griffiths
, Hemsworth
Is the hon. Member expecting this discussion before the Whit-sun holiday?
Mr David Grenfell
, Gower
Yes, Sir.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
