§ 77. Mr. JOHN DAVISONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the application which has been made by the Amalgamated Union of Operative Bakers to their employers for the abolition of night work; whether he is aware that negotiations between the two parties have failed to effect a settlement and that the employers have withdrawn from the industrial council set up on the conditions of the Whitley Report for this particular industry; whether he is aware that a stoppage of work is imminent; and, if so, what steps he intends to take to effect a settlement of this dispute?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am aware of the application referred to. The officers of the Department were in close touch with the industrial council up to the point when, after agreeing upon the abolition or modification of night work in principle, a section of the employers withdrew from 2500 the council. I understand that negotiations have been resumed between the trade union and the employers, and that the employers have made an offer which the trade union is considering at a meeting to-day. The London employers, for whom the abolition of night work is said to present exceptional difficulties, are included in these negotiations. The Government is considering the immediate appointment of a Committee on the question of night work in the baking trade, and is consulting the employers and employés in the matter.