HC Deb 17 March 1910 vol 15 c517
Sir WALTER MENZIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the action of the manager of the Glasgow Labour Bureau in telling unemployed men applying for work of the circumstances of the lock-out at Leadhills, and then asking them to decide for themselves whether to accept work there or not, he will instruct all the managers of these Labour Bureaux not to allow themselves in this way to be made the medium of interference in trade disputes.

Mr. BUXTON

The manager of the Glasgow Labour Bureau did not interfere in any way with a trade dispute. He complied fully with the General Regulations applicable to the matter. These Regulations were drawn up after consultation with representatives of employers and workmen, and are designed to ensure an attitude of strict impartiality and noninterference on the part of Labour Exchanges in trade disputes.

Sir W. MENZIES

May I ask if he will give consideration to the procedure indicated, and whether it is not a considerable temptation to the men out of work to take that work in order to provide food, and is it likely that an unemployed workman will take a strictly impartial view of any story told to him about a strike or lockout?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter upon which we all can form our own judgment.