§ Mr. WARDLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the position of the conciliation board on the London and North- 1015 Western Railway; whether he is aware that since the award of Sir Edward Fry the company refuse to recognise the conciliation boards; whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the men at the manner in which the award is interpreted and administered by the company; and whether, in view of the fact that in the event of disagreement the company refuse to recognise the right of the men to appeal to the conciliation boards, or agree to a joint appeal to Sir Edward Fry for his interpretation of certain disputed portions of the award, he will state what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have communicated with the railway company in this matter, and have received a reply from which it would appear that the hon. Member is under a misconception in suggesting that the company refuse to recognise the conciliation boards. There must naturally be some difficulty in applying the award to 30,000 or 40,000 men, but as the employés' representatives have been informed that any alteration which may ultimately be made by agreement or otherwise in the first interpretation of the award will refer back to the date on which the award came into force any temporary difficulty should be obviated. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the company's letter.