King Coal
COAL IS OUR BUSINESS. By Norman Dennis, Fernando Henriques, and Clifford Slaughter. (Eyre and Spottiswoode, 25s.) SoctoLoolcm. studies are not everybody's literary meat, but this valuable contribution to an understanding of life and work in a typical mining community is well worth reading. It might help some of those Tory MPs who ask silly questions about coal production, and who have made the life of every. Minister of Fuel and Power a 'Hell upon earth,' to come to a correct appreciation of what the coal problem really means. Nor should the coal consumer remain ill-informed; let more light be thrown on work underground, the risks involved, how the miner works, and why he works in this hazardous occupation. We should then be spared the querulous observations about coal shortages, increasing prices and poor quality. The answer is here presented to why the miner, having demanded nationalisation, is still discontented, resorts to unofficial strikes, and occasionally absents himself. Some are far from happy about their trade union; many recent disputes have been directed against the decisions of union officials. It takes more than a few years of nationalisation, despite its advantages in higher wage packets; pit-head baths, canteens and vastly improved welfare, arrangements, to wipe out the grim background of un- employment, victimisation, excessively dirty conditions, and 'bossing' by petty officials. Who wants to work far down in the earth's bowels if he can get away from it? The older hands are tied by old associations; it isn't easy for them to escape; the younger men for the most part, are eager to transfer their allec- tions to more attractive occupations. It is no criticism of this bunt
to say.that far more might be made of the relations between the Coal Board and the trade unions in the industry, right from top to bottom. As the Minister responsible for the Act governing the industry, I inserted a provision for consultation at every level, and on any matter affecting the administration of the industry. It is in this sphere that a solution of our coal problem exists. EMANUEL SHINWELL
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