§ 46. Mr. COOPERasked the Prime Minister if the official announcement of 8th May last, that the result of the Cabinet Inquiry into general industrial unrest might shortly be expected, is likely to be fulfilled at an early date; how many witnesses have been summoned; and if any Report on the subject can be made public?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs was foreshadowed by my right hon. Friend on 8th May, the Government, as a result of the deliberations of the Cabinet Committee, invited the Industrial Council to conduct an inquiry on their behalf into certain matters relating to labour questions. This inquiry is now in progress, and the terms of reference and the names of the Members of the Council have been published. The proceedings of the Cabinet Committee were of course confidential, and I cannot make any statement with regard to them.
§ Mr. COOPERWould the right hon. Gentleman clear up a misunderstanding by saying whether the Cabinet Inquiry is being conducted into the general question of unrest as foreshadowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or only into certain matters relating to industrial agreements referred to in the reply of the right hon. Gentleman on 12th November?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Cabinet Committee were instructed to inquire into the general question of industrial unrest. They readied a stage in their proceedings when they thought that a special inquiry would be useful.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask whether the Cabinet Committee, in arriving at a conclusion upon the question which they originally had under consideration, have considered the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission as to the applicability of co-partnership?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir; that is rather held over.