§ Mr. FELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman has received from employers or workmen in any trades other than those already scheduled under the Trade Boards Act, 1909, petitions for inclusion within the scope of that Act, and, if so, from what, trades; and what steps has he taken or does he propose to take to accede to their wishes?
Mr. BUXTONSince the Trade Boards Act came in force applications for its extension have been received from organisations of employers or workmen interested in the following trades:—Birmingham brass trades, linen and cognate trades at Belfast, calico printing, shirt-making, baking, Belfast joiners, and Irish railwaymen. All these applications have been noted, but I am not in a position to make any statement in regard to the extension of the Act to trades other than the four trades which Parliament decided should be dealt with first.