§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the shipowners of Hull, and particularly the Messrs. Wilson, have refused his offer of mediation in the trade dispute now going on there; whether he is aware that they have also refused to meet the representatives of the workmen to discuss the causes of the dispute, with a view to arriving at a settlement; and, in view of the fact that this refusal has caused a continuance of the dispute and the retention of the Naval and Military Forces of the Crown to prevent a breach of the peace, will he state what further action he or the Government propose taking in the matter, with a view to bringing the dispute to a close?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideOn the suggestion of an hon. Member of the House—a shipowner and a member of the Shipping Federation—a meeting took place last Monday week, at which the hon. Member for Middlesbrough and other Members were also present. At that meeting terms were agreed upon as a basis for the settlement of the whole dispute. It was well understood by those hon. Members that this would be submitted to the men at Hull and to the Shipping Federation. The latter Body submitted other proposals, which were described as an ultimatum; and as they wore unacceptable to the workmen as they stood, the matter ended there. The question with regard to the Naval and Military Forces has been already answered by the Home Secretary. The Government have no power to compel employers to employ or workmen to work on terms to which they do not agree.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEThen I will ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that this dispute affects 50,000 persons, he will give an opportunity of discussing the question one day next week?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianI am afraid that I must see the question in the most definite form, and have an opportunity of considering it, before I can give an answer as to whether the Business of 1493 the House can be interrupted for the discussion of this subject.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEsaid: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a question of which I have just given him private notice—namely, whether it is true that the chief obstacle to a conciliatory settlement of the Hull dispute is a Member of this House—— ["Order, order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member says he has just given the right hon. Gentleman notice. That is hardly sufficient notice.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEI handed a copy of my question to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ MR. MUNDELLAIt, was only 10 minutes ago.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEWhether it is true that the chief obstacle to a conciliatory settlement of the Hull dispute is a Member of this House—a supporter of the present Government; and whether——
§ MR. SPEAKERThat is not a matter which is under the cognisance or control of the Government.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEI will read the latter part of the question, Sir:— "And whether this in any way accounts for the readiness with which the Military Forces were sent to his assistance, and for the evident——"[Cries of " Order, order!"]
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is making a statement which ought not to be put into a question.