§ 68. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the dispute at Messrs. Burberrys, Reading; whether he is aware that the firm in question has refused to accept the Industrial Commissioner's offers of conciliation or arbitration and private offers of mediation; whether he is aware that the whole of the men workers in London are now taking a ballot to cease work in sympathy with their fellow workers in Reading; whether he appreciates that the general stoppage of work in London will seriously interfere with the manufacture of contract trade, which in many instances is urgently required for distribution to the troops; and whether the Government are prepared to compel the firm in question to meet the representatives of the workpeople with a view to a settlement and preventing any stoppage in the work?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the question asked by the hon. Member for Attercliffe.