§ 72. Mr. HOGGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the threatened lock-out of the members of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Typographical Associations on the 15th February; whether he has been invited to arbitrate; and, if not, whether he will keep in close touch with the dispute and prevent, if possible, such lock out?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)I am aware of the threatened dispute mentioned in the question, and I understand that a joint conference of the parties is being held to-day. No application for the appointment of an arbitrator to deal with the matter has been received by the. Board of Trade. The progress of the dispute will be carefully watched by the Chief Industrial Commissioner's Department, and, as my hon. Friend is aware, the good offices of the Board of Trade are at all times available should the parties to a dispute desire to take advantage of them.