§ 68. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the strike of tramway men in Edinburgh; whether, in view of the fact that there are very special circumstances, in so far as the tramway system in Edinburgh is an underground cable system and it takes at least three weeks to train a driver, he will make a special effort to induce the parties to the strike to enter into negotiations for a settlement; and whether meanwhile he will take every precaution to prevent the cars being driven by men not fully conversant with the system involved?
Mr. BUXTONThe Chief Industrial Commissioner will keep in touch with the dispute referred to. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, the services of the Department are at the disposal of the parties should they desire to avail themselves of them. As regards the last part of the question, the responsibility for the safe 2213 running of the cars rests with the working company.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDConsidering the extraordinary excitement that exists in this district relating to this and other labour disputes, will the right hon. Gentleman take definite action with a view, to bringing the parties together, rather than wait until they approach him?
Mr. BUXTONThe hon. Gentleman is aware that under the statute the Board of Trade has no power of interfering in these matters unless practically they are desired by both sides to intervene. I shall be only too glad to take the first opportunity of assisting in a settlement of this matter. I may, perhaps, have to ask for some legislation in regard to these questions, and I hope to secure the assistance therein of my hon. Friends.
Mr. PRICEHas the Board of Trade any power of control which will enable them to prevent the employment, as drivers, of men without proper experience?
Mr. BUXTONIn this case the responsibility rests with the car company, and if the hon. Gentleman has any special matter to put forward I will bring it to the attention of the company at once.