HC Deb 05 August 1897 vol 52 c398
MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether any steps have been taken, or will be taken, to invite the parties to the dispute in the engineering trade to refer the matter in dispute to arbitration?

MR. RITCHIE

I am not of opinion that any invitation from the Board of Trade would be effective at the present stage of the negotiations, but should the good offices of the Department be asked for they will be at the disposal of the parties.