§ Sir GEORGE TOULMINI wish to ask the Prime Minister a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether he has any statement to make to the House with regard to any action the Government propose to take in reference to industrial unrest?
§ The PRIME MINISTERFrom the experience derived from the industrial disputes which have lately occurred, it has become evident that one of the chief difficulties in the way of peaceful and friendly relations between employers and men is the want of effective methods for securing the due observance of industrial agreements by both sides. Further, where agreements are come to between employers and workmen in regard to conditions of employment, the agreement, though binding on those who are parties to it, is not 1060 binding on the whole of the trade or district. These matters affect the employers and the workmen alike, and it seems essential to ascertain: (1) what is the best method of securing the due fulfilment of industrial agreements; (2) how far industrial agreements which are made between representative bodies of employers and of workmen should be enforced throughout the particular trade or district.
The Government are anxious to have inquiry made into the matter, and to receive advice from those best qualified to give it. In these circumstances they propose to refer the above questions to the Industrial Council, which is representative of the employers and of the men in the great industries of the country; to request the Council carefully to consider the matter; to take such evidence as they may think fit; and to report to the Government any conclusions to which they may come. The view of the Government has been strengthened by the following resolution of the Industrial Council, who considered the matter yesterday:—
The question of the maintenance of industrial agreements having come before the Industrial Council, that Council are of opinion that this subject is of the highest importance to employers and trade unions and workpeople generally, and would welcome an immediate inquiry into the matter,The Resolution was agreed to unanimously. The Government are therefore requesting the Industrial Council to undertake the inquiry, and they will give the most earnest attention to any recommendations which the Council may be able to make.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDo we understand that the terms of reference to the Industrial Council will strictly limit them not merely to an inquiry as to the best means-of having agreements carried out, but will limit them to considering the proposal made by the Government? Will reference-be wider than was indicated in the right hon. Gentleman's answer, or will it be confined within those limits?
§ The PRIME MINISTERPerhaps I may read again the two questions which it is proposed to refer to the Industrial Council. They are: (1) What is the best method of securing the due fulfilment of industrial agreements; and (2) how far industrial agreements made between representative bodies of employers and of workmen should be enforced throughout the particular trade or district? Those are the two questions we propose to refer to them.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWDoes not the second head of reference limit the freedom of the Industrial Council rather more than is desirable, and would it not be better to leave the Council to consider themselves the best methods of securing the fulfilment of these agreements?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is intended that they should. If the right hon. Gentleman thinks that the words are not adequate for that purpose, I will have them remoulded to make it perfectly clear. I quite agree that should be within the purview of the inquiry.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDCan the right hon. Gentleman say, first, whether the Industrial Council is going to have any power to spend money in the furtherance of this inquiry; secondly, is the Industrial Council itself going to sit as a Committee of Inquiry, and undertake to hear witnesses and take evidence; and is it the intention of the Government, or has he considered it, that the evidence is to be published as well as the Report of the Industrial Council?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn regard to the first point, whatever funds are necessary for the purpose will certainly be put at their disposal. I think it is clear that evidence from all quarters will be admissible. As regards the desirability of the publication of the evidence, that might well be deferred to a later stage.
§ Mr. CLYNESWith reference to the bearing of the announcement on the existing transport strike, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the representatives of the men have published a statement announcing their desire for a settlement on honourable terms, and whether such settlement is not delayed or prevented by the employers' refusal to meet the representatives of the men?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hardly think that arises out of the answer, but I may repeat what I have already said, that so far as the Government are concerned their good offices are still at the disposal of either party.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDBefore deciding to allow the matter of the publication of evidence to remain over for some time, would not the Government consider that unless it makes up its mind now whether the evidence is going to be published or not, it may get itself into a very 1062 serious difficulty when certain witnesses may give evidence under the impression that it is private and certain witnesses may give evidence under the impression that it is to be public, and, there being a conflict of opinion on the part of the witnesses, the Government may then find itself in a position which will make it unable to publish the evidence at all?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThose are very important points, and the Government will consult the Industrial Council. Perhaps the hon. Member will repeat the question on Monday.