" So do I," added the Prime Minister, " but
after Parliament had voted £23,000,000 in aid of the mining industry and had received the Report of the able Royal Commission, what could it do but try to bring about a settlement on the basis of that' Report ? I want to repeat further that the Government is prepared to accept the Report, and the whole Report, if other parties will do so. No door is closed, but while the situation remains what it is we have no alternative whatever but to go forward unflinchingly and do our duty. This is the Govern- ment's position : The general strike must be called off absolutely and without reserve. The mining industry dispute can then be settled. I am a man of peace. I am longing and working and praying for peace, but I will not surrender the safety and security of the British Constitution. Cannot you trust me to ensure a square deal to secure justice between man% and man ? "
Mr. Poulton, referring to the Prime Minister's message, said on behalf of the T.U.C. that the appeal was entirely to one side. The Prime Minister had insisted on the withdrawal of the general strike as a condition of fresh negotiations, but had said nothing about the withdrawal' of the lock-out notices.
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