MOTION FOR LEAVE. (Hansard, 17 April 1893)

§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, Brightside
I beg to move for leave to bring in a Bill to make provision for conciliation and arbitration in 460 labour disputes. The Bill is of a tentative character, elastic in its provisions and voluntary in its operation. The scheme embodied in it is in operation already in some of the largest industries in the Kingdom, with the best possible results. The Bill embodies provisions which give power to the Board of Trade to appoint conciliators or a Board of Conciliation, with power to aid in the establishment of Local Boards of Conciliation where there are none existing, or where they are inadequate. It gives power also to carry out the resolution of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, having in view the growing desire for the extension of arbitration in labour disputes. It is proposed to register the Boards of Conciliation and their decisions, and to make an annual Report to the House upon the working of the Voluntary Boards of Conciliation, formed both before the Act was passed and under the Act.

§ *MR. BARTLEY
said, he did not oppose the introduction of the Bill, but he should like to know whether it was really brought forward for discussion. They all knew that the programme of the Government was overloaded, and some of them could not help thinking that these Bills were simply thrown on the Table for the sake of catching votes. They should have some statement from the Prime Minister as to whether the Government really intended to bring this Bill on so that there should be an opportunity of discussing the measure.

§ Sir A. ROLLIT
rose.

§ *MR. SPEAKER (interposing)
Two speeches have been delivered, one on each side, and I am not permitted by the Standing Orders to allow more discussion on a Bill introduced at this stage of Business.