§ 19. Mr. O'GRADYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dockers' Union has submitted proposals to the London shipowners for an increase of 2d. per hour in their wages to meet the increased cost of living, and that the shipowners refuse to meet the men's representatives; whether he is aware that the Government Committee recently appointed to obviate disputes during war time has also been approached in this matter, and has replied that it is outside their terms of reference and should be submitted to the Board of Trade; and whether, seeing that the men's 1126 union is willing to have arbitration on the questions at issue, thus responding to the Prime Minister's appeal, what steps it is proposed shall be taken to bring the parties involved together with the view of an amicable settlement, or to what tribunal, if any, can the matter be referred?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am still in communication with the parties concerned, but am not yet in a position to make any statement.
20. Mr. DENNISSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that neither employers nor workmen are represented on the present Arbitration Committee, he will consider the advisability of availing himself of the services of the Industrial Council in cases where disputes arise between workmen and employers during the War?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe members of the Industrial Council were included in the panels of the Court of Arbitration, and are eligible for appointment to Courts when the parties to industrial disputes desire to refer their differences to that form of arbitration. Two members of the Industrial Council—Mr. T. L. Devitt and my right hon. Friend the Member for the Barnard Castle Division—are to-day sitting as members of an important Court of Arbitration in Scotland.