asked whether the Committee on home affairs is considering the question of the nationalisation of the mining industry?

The answer is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the Prime Minister will be able to revert to the ordinary practice of being present in the House at Question Time?

That must depend,. I think, on the pressure of work at any given time.

Seeing that the Prime Minister's questions do not begin until quarter past three, could not he devote twenty minutes to the House of Commons?

If it is desired that that suggestion should be conveyed to the Prime Minister I will convey it to him, but if he is to come here every day it would very much interfere with his other work.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statements in the Press to-day represent the views of the Government in regard to nationalisation of the coal mines?

I suppose there are many varying statements and none of them represent the views of the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the urgent importance that the country should be fully informed of the arguments for and against nationalisation of the coal industry, he will grant a day at an early date for the full discussion of this subject?

As I stated yesterday in answer to a supplementary question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Wood Green on this subject, when the Government's decision in regard to nationalisation is announced it is anticipated that the discussion will take place.

Can the right hon. Gentleman undertake that this discussion, shall be before and not after the announcement of the Government policy?

No, I cannot; and I do not see the object of that.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the announcement of the policy of the Government is likely to be made, in view of the great anxiety that is felt in many quarters of the House?

No, I cannot; but the interval between now and the Recess is not very large, and I hope it will be before the Recess.

Will there be any time for a real discussion before the House is emptying on the last few days before the Recess?

I do not think that on a subject of this importance the House will be empty.

asked the Prime Minister if the question of the nationalisation of coal mines formed any part of the recent conferences with the Miners' Federation at No. 10, Downing Street; and, if so, will he inform the House whether any agreement or understanding was reached?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not arise.