Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 9 Rhagfyr 1947.
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make available to hon. Members the report of the Fact-Finding Committee set up as a result of the Grimethorpe Colliery dispute.
I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Colonel Hutchison) on 13th November.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, on the occasion to which he has referred, he stated that he knew that public opinion is much interested in this matter? Is there any reason, other than the desire to shield certain persons, why the House should not be given this information?
The hon. Member should not jump to such a conclusion.
Because it is nonsense to do so. The answer I gave was that the report was not made to me. It was a private investigation made by the Mineworkers' Union, and I have no authority to order them to publish that report; it is a matter of domestic interest to them alone.
Since the Question was asked on 13th November, has the right hon. Gentleman asked the Union for permission to publish it?
No, Sir, and I do not intend to do so.
As coal production is going up so magnificently, is not this Question completely frivolous and stupid?
In view of the dismay of hon. Members opposite over the fact that coal production is increasing, is not my right hon. Friend aware that the less the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) says about the matter, the better it will be for all concerned.
On a point of Order. Are these supplementary questions in Order?
I often have very great difficulty over supplementary questions. I always recommend hon. Members to read page 336 of Erskine May.
Having regard to the number of times that we have had that page referred to, may not it be read out to the House?
I think that hon. Members can spend a little spare time in the Library reading it for themselves.