§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to M. Clemenceau's proposed legislation dealing with State regulation of industrial disputes and contracts; and whether, in view of the fact that the success of such regulations depends largely on international co-operation, His Majesty's Government will communicate with the French and German Governments as to the possibility of arranging for simultaneous legislation on such subjects in their respective countries.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsYes, Sir, I have seen the passage in M. Clemenceau's speech to which my hon. friend refers. I understand, however, that the projet de loi embodying the intentions of the French Government has not as yet been issued, so that my hon. friend will see that we have no material upon which to found a decision as to the advisability of concurrent legislation in respect to this question. For myself, I am disposed to think that though there are many directions in which international co-operation may be of great service in bettering the conditions of labour, this particular question of the 662 regulation of industrial disputes is so affected by the varying circumstances of different countries that united action may be difficult.