§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the National Foremen's Association of Engineering and Allied Trades protesting against the delay shown by the Ministry of Transport in opening negotiations on the national programme submitted by the foremen's association in September of last year on behalf of the railway members; and whether the Ministry intends to open negotiations on the programme submitted;
(2) whether he is aware that the foremen of the North Staffordshire Railway have been pressing for an advance in salaries for the last two and a half years; whether they are under Government control; whether the Ministry's delay in negotiating on their claims is causing unrest among the foremen in question; and whether the Ministry 437W intends taking any steps in this matter in the near future?
§ Mr. NEALThe National Foremen's Association submitted to the railway companies in September last proposals for the revision of the conditions of service of all foremen employed on railways. This association were signatories to an agreement come to in April in regard to certain sections of the men concerned. It was found impossible, owing to the number of unions and associations concerned, to arrange for negotiations in regard to the remaining sections, and the railway companies have now been authorised to revise the salaries of the men in these sections on a scale similar to that provided for in the April agreement. The new salaries for supervisory grades will in all cases date from 1st August, 1919, and the foremen employed by the North Staffordshire Railway Company will come under the new arrangements, which are now being put into operation.