§ SIR F. MILNER (Notts, Bassetlaw)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the terrible suffering and destitution caused by the great strike in the coal industry, the Government will take immediate steps to establish Boards of Arbitration to prevent such a calamity in the future?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEThe House will remember that the Government actually introduced a Bill for this purpose in the present Session, but they were not able to make progress with it, because, contrary to our hopes, it was found that it would not be possible to regard it as a non-contentious measure. Under these circumstances, we are, of 116 course, precluded from any present attempt, but the earliest opportunity that may offer will certainly be very acceptable to Her Majesty's Government for the purpose of promoting the useful employment of Boards of Arbitration in disputes which are so very injurious to the community at large.