44. Colonel THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the trade unions having members employed by the South Metropolitan Gas Company have applied to the company for the payment to their employés of the award of the Committee of Production of 27th March, 1918, and that the company have replied that the matter is in the hands of their co-partnership employés' council; that this reply has been considered unsatisfactory by the members of the unions concerned; is he aware that the unions, on behalf of the members, have given the statutory twenty-one days' notice to the Chief Industrial Commissioner for the purpose of having the dispute referred to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Munitions of War Act; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Bridgeman)The Chief Industrial Commissioner received on the 20th July an application from members of certain trade unions employed by the South Metropolitan Gas Company for the payment of the 12½ per cent. bonus on earnings, with the request that the case should be referred to the Committee on Production.
My right hon. Friend is informed that the company have been asked whether they are willing to concur in this course, but as yet there has been no time for reply.