§ MR. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the imminent danger of a strike in the Midlands in which 200,000 miners are involved; and whether the Board of Trade have taken, or can take, any steps with a view to effecting a peaceful settlement between the contending parties?
§ MR. MUNDELLAYes, Sir; my attention has been drawn to the serious state of affairs, which may result in a stoppage of work in many important mining districts. Steps have been taken by the Labour Department to obtain full and accurate information on the subject (part of which has already been published in The Labour Gazette), but the Board of Trade have at present no statutory powers to undertake arbitration or conciliation or to intervene in-a trade dispute.
§ MR. DALZIELIs there anything to prevent the Board of Trade interfering and exercising its influence in the direction of peace?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI think the Board would probably be subjected to a, rebuff if it attempted to intervene. It has no statutory powers to act. Already some applications have been made to me by employers in favour of arbitration; but having regard to the declaration on the part of the miners, that they will submit to no reduction and will refuse arbitration, I do not think I could with advantage intervene at present.