§ MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the reference to the Royal Commission on the relations between employers and employed will admit of an inquiry into the condition of the agricultural labouring class?
§ MR. COBB (Warwick, S.E., Rugby)May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will undertake that one Member of the Commission shall be a person who has special knowledge of subjects relating to agricultural labourers 35 and in whom they shall have confidence?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterI have already stated in general terms the view of the Government as to the matters which will form the material for inquiry by the Royal Commission, and it is not in my power at present to give any further and more definite information to the House. The constitution of the Commission has not yet been determined.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)How soon will it be before we get the terms of the reference?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHIn the course of a few days I hope, but the hon. Gentleman and the House will see that in a matter of this grave importance great care is necessary.
§ MR. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the reference to the Royal Commission on the relations of employer and employed will embrace an examination of the limits set by the existing Law of Conspiracy (by Statute or at Common Law) to lawful combinations in connection with trade disputes, and the consideration of the expediency of amending the law so as to strengthen or extend the right of combination?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI have already, I think, replied generally to the question of the hon. Member.