§ 78. Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the Thrapston Board of Guardians to grant their relieving officer, Mr. Thomas A. Boyden, a war bonus as laid down by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for local government employés; is he aware that the guardians declined arbitration; and if he will say what steps he intends to take in order to place this officer in possession of the war bonus in the same way as other relieving officers in the country?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the last part of the question, the discretion in this matter is in the hands of the local board of guardians, and in the case of a difference between a board and its employés the matter can be referred to arbitration only if the consent of both parties is obtained. In the present case the board does not, I am informed, consent to arbitration, and at the moment I am unable to take other steps.