§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there are several Acts and portions of Acts still in force relating to arbitration and conciliation in the matter of labour disputes, and that these Acts are inoperative, the provisions relating to the intervention of Magistrates and Justices of the Peace being no longer applicable to such disputes now that the Masters and Servants Acts have been repealed; whether he can see his way to propose the repeal of these practically obsolete Statutes, or their consolidation into one amended Act; and whether the Government will consent, if the House so agree, to refer his Bill, and the other Bills now before the House on the same subject, to the same Committee, with the view of securing such legislation as may accord with the changed conditions of labour?
§ MR. MUNDELLAIf the Bill which I have introduced is referred to the Standing Committee, I shall offer no objection to Amendments repealing such of the Acts referred to as are obsolete and inoperative. And I should quite willing that the Bills introduced by private Members should be read a second time and considered by the same Committee. I am only desirous that we should as soon as possible provide legislation that will facilitate the settlement of labour disputes.