§ 38. Mr. C. DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that about 300 men in different grades of service under the Portsmouth Corporation are out on strike for an advance of wages to bring them up to the trade union level; that before the strike commenced, and since, the men's offer to submit the matter to arbitration has been refused by the corporation; and whether he will take steps to secure that the local authority shall adopt the policy recommended by the Government at the present time in all matters of industrial dispute?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe strike to which my hon. Friend refers has been the subject of communications between the Board of 1213 Trade and the parties, and I understand that the corporation have not, so far, seen their way to agree to refer the difference to arbitration. As my hon. Friend is aware, unless the dispute is one which comes within the provisions of the Munitions of War Acts, the Department have no authority to appoint an arbitrator, except with the consent of both parties.