§ 31. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give the House any information regarding the disputes and strikes which took place at Liverpool, Sunderland, Ashton-under-Lyme, and Grimsby upon 15th July, 1912?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)I have no information as to disputes at Sunderland, Ashton-under-Lyme, and Grimsby. At Liverpool difficulties arose last week, as explained by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, not primarily in connection with the Insurance Act, but in connection with a scheme approved by a joint committee of the shipowners of Liverpool and the men's unions 1159 for the decasualisation of labour at that port. I understand that the scheme is now settling down into satisfactory working.
§ Mr. HAROLD SMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the same report applies to Birkenhead as to disputes and strikes arising from the same causes?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no information as to Birkenhead. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question, I will give him an answer.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI desire to ask the Prime Minister a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he can state when the Bill foreshadowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last night dealing with industrial disputes by way of compulsory arbitration will be introduced?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope next Session.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILIs the House to understand it is not to be introduced this Session, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the Government proposed to deal with the matter in the immediate future?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I then ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government seriously intends to deal with this matter or whether it is another obligation of honour?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is an obligation of honour which will be performed in due course.
§ Mr. BARNESMay I ask whether the statement of the Noble Lord describing the Bill as a Bill for compulsory arbitration is correct?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. It was described by my right hon. Friend in much more general terms.
§ Mr. BRACEIn the preparation of the Bill, will the right hon. Gentleman and the Government remember that for a large number of years at every Trade Union Congress, by enormous majorities, organised labour has declared against compulsory arbitration?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Bill will not be introduced until next year.