§ SIR CHARLES DILKE () Gloucestershire, Forest of DeanI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the date of the note appended to the Estimate for the Royal Commission on Trade Disputes, in which it is said that the Commission appointed 6th June last has held three meetings; and why it is that the Commission is not expected to finish its work before the end of 1904.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH,) Derbyshire, W.The note was dated 20th November, 1903. I understand that the Commissioners have not vet decided 1138 as to the number of witnesses they will call, and that the duration of their labours cannot yet be forecasted with greater certainty.
§ MR. SHACKLETON (Lancashire, Clitheroe)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trades unions refused to give evidence before the Commission?