§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the statement of the organising secretary of the Liverpool branch, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, that a railway strike in May was not improbable; and whether, as a general strike had recently been advocated, and as such a 1045 strike advocated by leading Anarchists, Socialists, and others was of a revolutionary character, the Government would introduce legislation at an early date making the organisation of such a strike a criminal offence, punishable with the severest penalties, and scheduling certain callings a combined strike in any two of which should be regarded as a general strike?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have seen certain reports of the alleged statement referred to by the hon. Member, but they appear to vary considerably in different newspapers. With regard to the latter part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave yesterday to the question by the hon. Member for Leicester.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that legislation has been introduced in Australia and New Zealand, making strikes illegal, unless the cause of the dispute has first been placed before a properly constituted judicial tribunal? In view of that fact, will the right hon. Gentleman introduce legislation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am well acquainted with the legislation to which the hon. Member refers.