Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister then made the speech which he would
have made a fortnight ago. The situation was not so bad as in 1925. Production and export of coal were both up ; 24,000 more miners were employed. The Government preferred the policy of individualism to that of nationalization: Within the limits of that choice they had done what they could to assist the industry and drain off surplus labour. The Eight Hours Act had reduced working costs by 2s. 8d. per ton, of which only 7d. came from wages. Lower costs had increased sales by 2,000,000 tons, and proportionately increased employment. An important announcement was that the Government will set up a Commission of three to stimu- late the transference of workers from the "black spots" to other areas, both at home and abroad. The Vote of Censure was defeated by 347 votes to 142.
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