COMMITTEE ON PRODUCTION (LABOUR DISPUTES). (Hansard, 28 June 1917)

§ 95. Mr. W. THORNE
asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Lancashire district secretary of the National Union of General Workers sent in an application for an advance in wages of the members working at Messrs. W. D. Houghton, Warrington, on 31st January, 1917, and the question was sent on to the Committee on Production for settlement on 23rd February, 1917, but no settlement has been arrived at yet; if he is aware that a petition was sent in from the same office to Messrs. Brunner Monds, Northwich, for an improvement in the men's conditions on 4th November, 1916, and was sent on to the Committee on Production for settlement on 4th April, 1917, but no settlement has been arrived at yet; if he is aware that another petition was sent in from the same office to the Master Tanners' Association, Warrington, on 26th March, 1917, which was referred to the Committee on Production for settlement on 14th May, 1917, and no decision has been arrived at yet; and if he can give any reasons for these delays, which are causing unrest in all parts of the country?

§ Mr. HODGE
I have looked into the cases referred to in my hon. Friend's question. In the case of Messrs. W. D. Houghton, an arbitrator was appointed on 17th April, but I understand that a hearing was delayed by the arbitrator, as he understood from communications received from the firm that an amicable settlement might be arranged between the parties. This hope not having matured, he has now fixed to-morrow, Friday, 29th instant, for the date of the hearing. With regard to the second case referred to, namely, the workpeople in the co-operate department of Messrs. Brunner Mond and Company, Limited, the union's report was referred upon receipt to the Ministry of Munitions, as the firm is a controlled establishment, and, as the Ministry of Munitions had already had correspondence with the parties on the matter, I am taking the matter up with the Ministry of Munitions. With regard to the Warrington tanners case, upon receipt of the union's report, the Department at once communicated with the Master Tanners' Association, who expressed doubt that the union had many members in their works, and requested particulars of the names of the works at 532 which disputes were reported to exist. The union have been requested to supply this information, but have not yet done so.

§ Mr. THORNE
Is it necessary for any organisation to supply particulars as to the number of men they have got working in a particular factory? Cannot it be proved as to whether they have got the majority or otherwise?

§ Mr. HODGE
If the firm says that the union does not represent the workmen it is absolutely essential that inquiry should be made, as the union cannot speak with authority for the men it does not represent.