§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to a circular issued on 21st May, 1908, by the general manager of the Great Eastern Railway Company to the staff on the line and the Press; and whether, in view of the agreement entered into by Lord Claud Hamilton, chairman of that company, in November, 1907, and the Board of Trade, he proposes to take any action so that the men may not be prevented from exercising their rights of combination, and from taking advantage of the conciliation boards formed under the agreement referred to.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI have seen the circular in question. It does not appear to me to interfere in any way, and I am advised that it does not interfere in any way, with the operation of the agreement of the 6th November, or with the men's right of combination, or prevent them from taking advantage of the conciliation boards formed under the agreement.