HC Deb 04 January 1916 vol 77 cc905-7

(1) The Minister of Munitions may constitute a special arbitration tribunal (comprising one or more women) to deal with differences reported under Part I. of the principal Act which relate to matters on which the Minister of Munitions has given or is empowered to give directions under the last preceding Section, and the Board of Trade may refer any such difference for settlement to such tribunal in lieu of referring it for settlement in accordance with Section one of the principal Act.

(2) The Minister of Munitions may also refer to the special arbitration tribunal so constituted, for advice, any question as to what directions are to be given by him under the said Section.

(3) Any directions given by the Minister of Munitions under the said Section shall be binding, and any contravention thereof or non-compliance therewith shall be punishable in like manner as in the case of an award under Part I. of the principal Act.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I beg to move, in Sub-section (1), to leave out the word "a" ["a special arbitration tribunal"].

This is the first of a series of consequential Amendments in order to give effect to the new Clause which I moved earlier in the evening.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: Leave out the word "tribunal" ["comprising one or more women"], and insert instead thereof the word "tribunals."

After the word "last" ["under the last preceding Section"] insert the word "two."

Leave out the word "Section" ["under the last preceding Section"], and insert instead thereof the word Sections."

Leave out the words "Section one" ["in accordance with Section one"], and insert instead thereof the words "the First Schedule."

In Sub-section (2) leave out the word "the" ["the special arbitration tribunal"].

Leave out the word "Section" ["under the said Section"].—[Mr. Lloyd George.1

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I beg to move, at the end of Sub-section, to insert the words "(3) The tribunal to which the matters in question referring to female workers are to be referred under this Section shall comprise one or more women."

Mr. LEIF JONES

I beg to move, in the proposed Amendment, to leave out the word "comprise," and to insert instead, thereof the word "include."

I wish to raise the meaning of the word "comprise." I am a little afraid it will mean that the tribunal shall consist exclusively of women, and I understand the meaning to be that the tribunal shall include one or more women.

Amendment to the proposed Amendment agreed to.

Proposed words, as amended, there added.

Further Amendment made: Leave out, "(3) Any directions given by the Minister of Munitions under the said Section shall be binding, and any contravention thereof or non-compliance therewith shall be punishable in like manner as in the case of an award under Part J. of the principal Act."—[Mr. Lloyd George.]