HC Deb 16 September 1914 vol 66 cc946-7
22. Mr. RICHARD LAMBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the dispute now pending between agricultural labourers and their employers in Wiltshire; and whether he will use the influence of the Board to bring this dispute to an end?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Chief Industrial Commissioner's Department has recently inquired into this dispute with a view to obtaining a settlement, but the information at the disposal of the Department does not indicate that further negotiations would at present have any useful result.

Mr. R. LAMBERT

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the men offered to go back on their own terms, and that in spite of this the local landlord, who is a Member of this House, insisted in pressing forward ejectment orders against them?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am afraid the facts as stated by my hon. Friend have been confirmed by the Industrial Commissioners.