§ Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations there are, if any, which prevent prison officers coming under the facilities provided by the Industrial Courts Act, 1919; and, if so, why are prison officers treated differently to other civil servants?
§ Mr. ElliotUnder the Industrial Courts Act, 1919, trade disputes may, in certain circumstances, be referred by the Minister of Labour, with the consent of both parties, to the Industrial Court. The Act applies to workmen employed by or under the Crown; but recourse to the Industrial Court would not, in my opinion, be appropriate for prison officers who constitute a discipline service.