§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the past thirty-six weeks a strike has existed between the owners of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries and three or four thousand of their workmen; and whether, in view of the distress occasioned by reason of this dispute, he will forthwith put into operation Clause 2, Sub-section (b) of the Conciliation Act of 1896.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)I am fully aware of this deplorable dispute which has been in progress for many weeks, and which, as I am informed, is now being continued against the advice of the men's Union. The Board of Trade have communicated both with the Company and the Union, and do not gather that either of them is desirous of their intervention. No application has reached me from the men actually on strike. I need hardly say 999 that the services of the Department are fully at the disposal of the parties, but it is obvious that the difficulty of successful mediation is greatly increased by the refusal of the men to be guided by their own Union. I am making further inquiries.
§ MR. MARKHAMAS the men repudiate their Union, will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the men's committee?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI cannot say more than that I am making further inquiries.