The debate that followed produced the worst 'seven hours that
this . Government has yet experienced. The fire came from 'all sides. Sir Robert Aske from the Government Benches made the pertinent point that if there was nothing to be expected from the Government for the Special Areas, it was only fair that the people in those areas should be told. It was cruel to buoy them . up with false hopes. Mr. Mainwaring, from the Rhondda, drew a terrifying picture of the condition of his constit- uents. Mr. Kingsley. Griffith quoted Ruskin's sUggestion that " amongst the industries of a nation the manu- facture of souls ought to be considered." " am certain," he added, " that the manufacture of damned souls is something that very seriously concerns- the State. When I use the word damned it is used in the sense of those . without hope." .The debate was remarkably free from Party gibes. It was a real expression of the horror and despair at the failure of the Government to grapple with an appalling tragedy. Lord : Eustace Percy, who wound up for the Government, did his best to infuse some life into the Government policy, and did hint at the early introduction of legislation on mining royalties and the school-leaving age. But the House refused to be soothed, and gave a good hearing to Mr. -Macmillan, who insisted on using the last three minutes of the debate to fire a torpedo at the Treasury Bench. The Labour Party were so excited that they forgot to challenge a division.
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