Coal Industry Commission Act 1919
The Coal Industry Commission Act 1919 was an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom, which set up a commission, led by Mr Justice Sankey, to consider joint management or nationalisation of the coal mines. It also considered the issues of working conditions, wage and hours.Background
A Royal Commission, led by Sir John Sankey, was called to examine the future of the mining industry. Leo Chiozza Money, Sidney Webb and R.H. Tawney were the three economists on the commission, all broadly favourable to the miners. Others were appointed from business and the trade unions.
No agreement was reached and, when the commission reported in June 1919, it offered four separate approaches ranging from full nationalisation to untrammelled private ownership.Commissioners
- Mr Justice Sankey, chairman recommended nationalisation
- Frank Hodges, recommended nationalisation
- Leo Chiozza Money
- Robert Smillie
- Herbert Smith
- RH Tawney
- Sidney Webb
- Arthur Balfour, favoured minor reforms
- RW Cooper
- Sir Adam Nimmo
- Sir Allan M Smith
- Sir Evan Williams
- Sir Arthur Duckham