§ 57. Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Prime Minister if he will say when he intends to introduce the War Pledges Bill; whether he is aware that a spirit of suspicion and unrest is growing up amongst trades unionists and others at the delay in giving legislative effect to the pledges made by the Government at the commencement of the War; whether he is aware that until this Bill is passed it will be impracticable for organised labour to enter into effective negotiations with the Government and other employers regarding readjustments that may be desirable owing to experience gained during the War; and, in view of the fact that several weeks must elapse before a new Parliament is able to deal with this matter, whether he will reconsider the question of carrying the Bill through both Houses before the Dissolution?
§ 58. Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked whether the Government, in the interests of industrial peace, will immediately introduce a Bill to fulfil its pledges to the trades unionists?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have nothing to add to the answer which I gave in reply to a supplementary question by my Noble Friend the Member for South Nottingham on the 12th of November, except to repeat that the Government are at present in consultation with the representatives of the organisations concerned.
§ Mr. ROWNTREEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that an essential element of industrial reconstruction will be hung up unless this Bill is passed, and that rearrangements cannot be made by the trade unionists until they have got the pledges given to them ratified by law?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government are quite aware of the importance of the question and the necessity of coming to a decision about it. I hope that my hon. Friend will regard it as a wise course to have the matter investigated by those who are interested, and that he will agree that no harm is likely to arise from that course.